Every Member of the House will support measures to increase safety on the roads and prevent accidents and deaths. Following the announcement by the Minister for Transport yesterday, is it intended to enforce the regulations, in so far as provisional licence holders are concerned, from 1 January? Is this not a case of putting the cart before the horse in that there is no real plan or agenda by Government to deal with the issue of the 45% failure rate of driving tests? Inconsistency applies between centres for driving tests, for instance, between Sligo and Clonmel. There is a complete lack of regulation in respect of driving instructors and driving instructor schools and inadequate provision of driving instruction being incorporated in second level schools where driving instruction should be of critical importance, as it is for life.

The thousands of people who want to do the driving test but who have to wait six and eight months to do so will now find themselves outside the law if they attempt to drive to and from work or school and if nobody is available to travel with them, they will have to get a taxi, hire a hackney or not travel at all. Is it intended to implement all of these regulations from 1 January and will the Government, in implementing these road safety measures, take these issues into account? What progress is the Government making towards decreasing the time individuals have to wait for their driving tests?

From 1 January, anyone driving must carry his or her driving licence regardless of whether he or she holds a full or provisional driving licence. The Minister hopes to progressively implement a number of the penalties for infringements under the penalty points system. The law says provisional licence holders must be accompanied by a full licence holder when driving. The Minister hopes to link this into the penalty points system.

The Minister proposes to establish a new agency – this may require legislation – to deal with the regulation of driving instructors and the related matters raised by Deputy Kenny. The Government is conscious of the number of people who do not hold full licences. If all are to be adequately able to take their driving test, changes must be made. The Minister will make an announcement in due course.

Is the Taoiseach aware that statistics show the most dangerous drivers to be those who have passed their tests within the previous six months? Does the Government intend to give drivers who pass their tests restricted driving condition plates for the first 12 months of holding a full licence? Will the driving test be reformed? It has not been reformed in the past 25 years. Will the Government see to it that the result sheet given to those who fail their driving test is legible? In reviewing this, will the Taoiseach take into account the detailed analysis and constructive proposals produced two and a half years ago in a document compiled by Deputies Naughten and Coveney? The document dealt with driving instruction in secondary schools and related road safety issues.

I will bring the issues of illegible result sheets and the document compiled by the Deputies to the attention of the Minister. The Minister is considering proposals to bring road safety initiatives and issues around the test to transition year students.

I understand research shows the most dangerous drivers to be those who hold provisional licences. I recall this being discussed in Cabinet some months ago and that was the impression I got. I am open to correction on it. All these proposals are built around an effort by the Government to both strengthen and implement the road safety legislation. We published a strategy document on this three or four years ago. The proposals will be implemented and the points system will be phased in over a period.