130 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason that the proposals for regulating driver instruction, which were due to come into effect on 1 January 2002, were not brought forward; his proposals in relation to regulating driver instruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/02]

The proposals being developed by my Department for the regulation and-or quality control of driving instruction involve a test of the competence of individual instructors, or exemption from this requirement where an instructor is accredited to an organisation of driving instructors recognised by my Department as meeting appropriate quality standards. The design of these standards is at present being formulated by a working group comprising representatives of my Department and of instruction interests. The proposed legislative basis for implementing these proposals is contained in the Road Traffic Bill, 2001. It is intended that proposals regulating driving instruction will be brought forward following enactment of the Bill and completion of the working group's deliberations.