Penalty points to be harmonised in Ireland and UK

The penalty points systems in Ireland and the UK are set to be harmonised under a deal reached at last week's British-Irish Council.

Reports this morning say motorists disqualified from driving in the North and Britain will be automatically banned from driving in the Republic when the measure comes into force next year.

The issue was reportedly raised at the British-Irish Council by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

To date, some 60,000 drivers effectively escaped penalty points in the Republic because their vehicles were registered outside the jurisdiction and no harmonised system currently exists.