Drivers caught texting on their mobile phones could face a fine of up to €1,000.
The new regulations make it an offence to use or handle the keypad of a hands-free while driving.
A new amendment signed into law by the Transport Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday, means that convictions will result in a €1,000 maximum fine for a first offence.
This will rise to a maximum fine of €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence and a €2,000 maximum fine and or up to three months in prison for a third or subsequent offence within a 12 month period.
Although sending text messages was previously legislated for, the use of hands-free devices was not specifically covered and the regulations cover text messages and multimedia media messages.
The new law will take effect on the 1st of May.
