The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is expected to be banned in the next two days.
The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Mr Bobby Molloy will issue a statement that is likely to ban the use of hand-held mobile phones by drivers and will be effective immediately.
Last year, a committee was asked to look into the matter and has reported to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey. He requested the review because he believed there was "nobody paying a blind bit of notice" to calls from the Garda, the Automobile Association and others not to use mobile phones while driving.
At the moment, mobile phones use by drivers is not against the law but if a motorist's use of a mobile phone results in careless or dangerous driving, the motorist can be so charged, and evidence will be given in court of such use.
No statistics are kept on the number of prosecutions for careless or dangerous driving in the State that are related to mobile phone use.