Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
283. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is liaising with insurance industry representatives to ensure the timely commencement of insurance related provisions of the Road Traffic And Roads Act 2023 that will give insurers access to real time data on driver disqualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15175/25]
View answer284. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is liaising with Gardaí to ensure the timely commencement of insurance-related provisions of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15176/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law by the President on 23 June 2023. It is a wide-ranging Act and is being commenced in stages. The Act included several important insurance related provisions, including provisions relating to the Irish Motor Insurance Database which is operated by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).
My Department has liaised extensively with An Garda Síochána, insurance industry representatives and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely commencement of provisions relating to insurance. The provisions have been commenced in a number of tranches as it is necessary in the case of certain elements of the Act, for preparatory work to be done by the Department, various agencies or the insurance industry before the legislation can be implemented.
A commencement order for section 14(c) of the 2023 Act came into effect on 1 October 2024 under S.I. 497/2024 and amends section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2014. Section 5 of the 2014 Act provides for vehicle insurers to be able to view endorsements (penalty points) on a person’s driving licence record when issuing or renewing policies, this includes driving disqualifications.
Additionally, members of An Garda Síochána have access to the MIBI app, which provides a vehicle's or driver's insurance information. This was introduced under section 5(o) of the 2023 Act which inserted a new section 78A into the Road Traffic Act 1961. This allows Gardaí to identify uninsured drivers and increases road safety for all road users.
My Department will continue to liaise with An Garda Síochána and representatives from the insurance industry on relevant legislative matters. A coordinated approach is necessary to ensure the timely and effective implementation of provisions.
