Cullen agrees to end driving ban loophole

A loophole that allows drivers from the Republic to collect a driving ban in Britain, the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland and remain driving in the Republic is to be closed by agreement with the British-Irish Council.

The loophole also allows drivers who were banned in the the Republic to continue to drive in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or Britain.

It was agreed yesterday that measures will be introduced so that anyone banned in any of the jurisdictions will be banned in each of them.

The British-Irish Council was established under Strand III provisions of the Belfast Agreement to foster mutual co-operation in these islands. The measures are expected to come into effect next year.

However, the system will not apply to penalty points and Irish drivers who have lived abroad are still permitted to drive on Irish roads with a foreign licence from a range of recognised countries, to which penalty points cannot be applied in the Republic.

The Road Safety Initiative, agreed at yesterday's British-Irish Council meeting in Belfast, will cover serious road traffic offences.

Driving disqualifications for offences such as drink-driving, dangerous or reckless driving, hit-and-runs and speeding are included.

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is to legislate for this new measure in the Road Safety Authority Bill, which will go before the Oireachtas on February 22nd.

The new arrangements are expected to come into operation early next year.

Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications already exists between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but not with the State.

The British-Irish Council has discussed a range of measures on which the separate jurisdictions could co-operate and share expertise across a range of issues relating to road safety.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Cullen said it was "an excellent example of what working together can achieve for the betterment of people on these islands. I am particularly encouraged by the progress made towards the introduction of arrangements for reciprocal recognition of driving disqualifications between Great Britain and Ireland. Reckless driving is wrong, no matter where and when it occurs.

"Tough law is one part of improving road safety and this will be a tough law. This new measure ensures that drivers don't escape the punishment of their actions."

The Ministers also reviewed progress on the treatment of lesser traffic infringements and research into the issues surrounding drugs and driving.