Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 3rd August, 2012.

I, LEO VARADKAR, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 26 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 (No. 12 of 2002) and the National Roads and Road Traffic (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Administrative Functions) Order 2002 ( S.I. No. 298 of 2002 ) (as adapted by the Transport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 141 of 2011 ), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Road Traffic Act 2002 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (Penalty Points) Order 2012.

2. The day fixed as the day on which the following provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2002 (No. 12 of 2002) namely-

(a) the matter mentioned-

(i) at reference number 1, in columns (1) to (5), of Part 1, and

(ii) in Part 7,

of the First Schedule to that Act, and

(b) to the extent specified in relation to them-

(i) sections 8 and 22 in so far as they apply to the offences specified at the reference numbers specified in paragraph (a) committed after 3 August 2012, and

(ii) section 25(2) as respects offences specified at those reference numbers, committed after 3 August 2012, in so far as it applies to the repeal of subsections (1) and (2) of section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24 of 1961),

come into operation is 3 August 2012.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

25 July 2012.

LEO VARADKAR,

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order brings into effect from the 3rd August 2012 the penalty point system in respect of the following offences: using a vehicle (a) whose weight unladen exceeds maximum permitted weight, (b) whose weight laden exceeds maximum permitted weight, or (c) any part of which transmits to ground greater weight than maximum permitted weight; driver of car or goods vehicle not wearing safety belt; driver permitting person under specified age to occupy a seat when not wearing safety belt; driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child under 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint; driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child over 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint; driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child to be restrained by rearward facing child restraint fitted to a seat protected by active frontal air-bag and driver of bus not wearing safety belt.