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634 learner drivers convicted last year for not displaying L plates

The Transport Minister says that there no plans to introduce penalty points for learner drivers who failed to display L plates at this time.

SEVERAL HUNDRED PROVISIONAL learner drivers were convicted over failing to display L plates on their vehicles last year, according to the Minister for Justice.

Alan Shatter said that 2,718 motorists had received a summons over the failure to display the legally required signs, leading to 634 convictions.

The average fine for the offence was €133.50, according to the Courts Service.

The number of convictions has risen in recent years, with 410 people convicted in 2009, 503 convicted in 2010, and 634 convicted in 2011.

A further 854 people were convicted of driving without being accompanied by a qualified driver – a rise from 718 in 2010, and 446 in 2009 – with an average fine of €149.50.

In answer to a Parliamentary question about the introduction of penalty points for learner drivers who failed to display L plates, the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said he did not intend for the offence to be brought within the scope of the penalty point system at this time.

However, the Minister said a plan to introduce a graduated driver licensing system (GDLS) would include an R plate for newly-qualified drivers. The R plate will be one of nine measures that will make up the new system, which has been recommended by the Road Safety Authority.

Varadkar added that more details of the GDLS scheme would be addressed during the drafting of the next Road Traffic Bill later in the year.

Read: 43 per cent of learner permit holders drive unaccompanied

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    Mute Eddienowy Byrne
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    May 17th 2024, 8:28 PM

    Michael Martin saying that any papers and information should be given to the relatives should be released. How long has he been in Government and now he wants something done. Must be an election coming up.

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    Mute Mick McGuinness
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    May 18th 2024, 6:11 AM

    @Eddienowy Byrne: there must be elections coming up.

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    Mute Gwantipp
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    May 17th 2024, 9:32 PM

    The bombings were directed by British military intelligence and the special branch of the RUC using the psychopaths of the UVF ( the Glennane Gang in particular) and members of the UDR.
    The UVF had never before or since carried out a successful bombing campaign because they lacked the requisite skills to do so . But the British security forces did have bomb making expertise and so made the bombs and the UVF planted them.
    The purpose of the attack by the British security forces was to terrorise the south and force a crackdown on the IRA.
    It worked extremely well on both counts .
    The special branch of the Gardai colluded in the cover up and deliberately sobataged the investigation to protect Gardai who were working for British intelligence

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    Mute Eamon
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    May 17th 2024, 10:39 PM

    @Gwantipp: Evidence for your paranoid ramblings please.

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    Mute Paula O Brien
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    May 18th 2024, 1:40 AM

    @Eamon: prove him wrong if you can

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    May 18th 2024, 7:46 AM

    @Eamon: There is a great deal of circumstantial evidence to that effect.

    As is the Irish state’s refusal to properly investigate this.

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    Mute Orchard Groovey
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    May 17th 2024, 8:57 PM

    You didn’t think of collusion.
    You didn’t suspect collusion.
    You knew.

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    Mute John Kenny
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    May 17th 2024, 9:20 PM

    The people of clonmel need the truth

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    Mute Eamon
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    May 17th 2024, 8:16 PM

    So many atrocities perpetrated by both sides in that nefarious war. No heroes, only victims.

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    Mute Darth O'Leary
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    May 18th 2024, 12:09 AM

    British security services colluded with the UVF and used that organisation to perpetuate many sickening atrocities. These same agencies operate unhindered in this so called republic to this day. It beggars belief that these agencies have a license to commit the most serious crimes imaginable in the name of “security”

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    Mute rory Mcgovern
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    May 18th 2024, 9:04 AM

    Our president talking about an Irish situation. Recently what a NOVELTY.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    May 18th 2024, 11:40 AM

    As I said before we all know what happened. The question is why the Gardai frustrated a proper investigation and/or prosecution and why the Irish government allowed this?
    It continues to this day with Micheal Martin saying that all files that have are available to all while knowing that most have been destroyed!

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    May 17th 2024, 11:23 PM

    For the information of Paul Red et alia , there was a city bus strike on when the bombings took place. Provincial buses were still running. Provincial buses operated from Store Street.

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