Written Answers Nos. 482-501
482. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport to provide the up-to-date position on commencement of the new 256 bus route to service Macroom, Inchigeelagh, Ballingeary, Kealkill and Bantry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42486/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
483. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport for the up-to-date position on the further expansion of route 257 bus service currently serving Macroom to Killarney via Millstreet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42487/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
484. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or the National Transport Authority collects or has access to data on footfall in nightlife areas, particularly in urban centres, for the purpose of assessing public transport demand between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; if he will make this data available for 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form, to inform future planning of late-night and 24-hour public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42488/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
485. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position in providing an increased number of eCar public charging points for the mid-Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42489/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan was launched April this year and sets targets and strategies for local authorities to drive EV infrastructure development at destination and neighbourhood locations, with government support.
Led by local authorities, the Regional and Local Plan ensures a cohesive and standardised approach, which will promote a unified and efficient roll out of charging infrastructure and facilitate the equitable transition to EVs.
This is another significant step in the ongoing roll out of publicly accessible charge points. The plan will sit alongside the existing National Road EV Charging Plan, En-route Charging Schemes, and of course the widespread use of home charging which will remain the best and most efficient way to rollout EV charging for all.
Local Authorities have grouped into 10 regional and city groups to manage the development of Local EV Network Plans. Cork County has been identified as the Regional Lead for Region 6 under the network plan and will work with County Kerry as well as with relevant support organisations and stakeholders to identify the charging needs for their region.
ZEVI is supporting Local Authorities by funding dedicated EV charging infrastructure officers in each Local Authority, to co-ordinate and lead on the roll out of charging infrastructure. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, so as not to delay any initial rollout.
Some authorities have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025.
In addition, to address a particular challenge of home-charging access a Shared Charging Pilot Scheme was also launched in February this year. This innovative, peer-to-peer programme enables homeowners to rent their EV chargers to others through a booking platform, offering cost-effective charging options for EV owners who don’t have private off-street parking. The pilot will be supported by ZEVI and will be rolled out in urban, suburban and rural areas.
486. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the number of public eCar charging points available for the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, by location, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
The number of publicly accessible charge points in Ireland increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to approximately 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally, depending on the level of power supplied at each.
The Department of Transport does not at present maintain counts of available publicly accessible EV charging stations in specific regions, however ZEVI are developing a Data Strategy which, when implemented, will give the Department improved visibility on this.
The system will enable the collection of data from charge-points in near real time and provide it on an Open Data basis. The obligation on charge-point operators and owners to share this data is legislated for in the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.
487. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the absence of reciprocal driving licence agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level and EU driving licences are recognised and, in general, exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.
Ireland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core principle is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.
While visitors to Ireland may drive on their national licence during their stay, people who are resident here and who have a non-exchangeable licence must, in order to drive here, obtain an Irish licence. A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process, but can avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of only 6 lessons, instead of 12, and does not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
One of the commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, so holders of these licences may, if resident in Ireland, exchange them for an Irish licence. Ireland does not have an agreement with the USA.
My Department is currently examining the Programme for Government commitment in relation to the considering the possibility of licence agreements with US states.
488. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Irish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level and EU driving licences are recognised and, in general, exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.
Ireland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core principle is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.
People who are resident in Ireland and who have a non-exchangeable licence must, in order to drive here, obtain an Irish licence. A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process, but can avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of only 6 lessons, instead of 12, and does not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
One of the commitments in the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, so holders of these licences may, if resident in Ireland, exchange them for an Irish licence. Ireland does not have an agreement with the USA.
My Department is currently examining the Programme for Government commitment in relation to considering the possibility of licence exchange agreements with US states.
489. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the recommendations contained in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission report “Access to Car History”; if he intends to implement the recommendations in the report that relate to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42531/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I would like to outline some recent initiatives regarding making car history information available.
Change of Vehicle Ownership Online Service
The Department of Transport launched its Online Change of Vehicle Ownership Service in September last year. It provides prospective vehicle buyers with the vehicle registration number, make, model, colour, vehicle identification number, number of previous owners, NCT expiry date, tax expiry date, date of registration in Ireland and import status before they proceed with a sale. It also highlights if the current NCT status of the vehicle indicates a ‘Fail Dangerous’.
The information is drawn from the Department’s National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) database. This service is a significant development that greatly improves the information available to vehicle buyers.
Written-off vehicles
Since June 2024, insurance companies have had a legal obligation to notify the Department of Transport of any vehicles deemed to be damaged beyond repair or, when in motion, to be a danger to the public. This information is recorded on the NVDF. This does not include vehicles that the insurers choose not to repair for economic reason (economic write-offs)s.
The requirement to notify the NVDF of written-off vehicles is covered by Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2016, amended by Section 15 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. Both sections have been commenced - SI 292/2024 - Road Traffic Act 2016 (Part 2) (Commencement) Order 2024 and SI 293/2024 - Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 apply.
Once the NVDF is notified, the data and sender are verified, and the appropriate vehicle file is updated. The file is then locked and the vehicle may not be taxed or undergo a change of ownership and no activity in relation to the vehicle may be undertaken on the NVDF in the future.
All vehicle data recipients, including the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Siochána, the National Car Testing Service and car history checking companies, receive the status of each vehicle and would be aware of a write-off status.
There are a number of areas where further information from the CCPC on the recommendations in the report may be useful for the Department. I have requested that the CCPC keep the Department informed of any further work being undertaken in this area.
490. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport to outline data sharing restrictions in respect of statutory authorities under his Department and, in particular, his views on the National Transport Authority’s ability to share anonymised information about speeding and other traffic offences. [42532/25]
View answerMy Department shares data with both the Road Safety Authority and the National Transport Authority and this sharing is underpinned by various pieces of legislation. This mostly relates to data from the National Vehicle and Driver File and is used by the agencies to carry out their statutory functions.
While the National Transport Authority does not gather or share information about speeding and other traffic offences, under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the RSA has a statutory function in respect of the compilation and publication of road safety information, which is typically sourced from An Garda Síochána. As a result of legal concerns arising from the General Data Protection Regulation, the direct flow of road safety data to local authorities has been interrupted in recent years, though the Department has continued to make analysis available to local authorities to help inform their investment programmes. Following extensive engagement between relevant stakeholders and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, an approach has now been agreed to restore this important data flow. This was underpinned by a Ministerial Order made under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 last June, which ensures the continued compliance of the flow of information between An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority, while the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 seeks to ensure that local authorities will be able to receive and process the data directly. Passage of this Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and the General Scheme received approval for drafting in April of this year. It is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
491. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress to ensure that the Road Safety Authority is not prohibited from releasing information on road traffic accidents by GDPR; if he has sought the rationale for ceasing to release such information due to the regulation; and, if so, if he is satisfied that the rationale is reasonable. [42533/25]
View answerCollision data are collected by An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána continues to share these data with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), but following the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation in 2018, it has been necessary to update the legislative basis for this data exchange to ensure appropriate safeguards on individuals' personal information. Moreover, legal advice obtained by the Local Government Management Agency is definitive that changes to legislation are required in order for local authorities to receive and process collision data. The Department has continued to make available analysis of collision data and information on locations of interest from a road safety perspective to local authorities to help inform their investment programmes.
Following extensive engagement between relevant stakeholders and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner since late 2023, an approach has now been agreed to ensure this important data flow is compliant with the requirements of GDPR. This new approach was followed by a Ministerial Order made under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 last June, which underpins the flow of information between An Garda Síochána and the RSA.
The legislative vehicle to enable sharing of road traffic collision data with local authorities, and the processing of that data by local authorities, has also been clearly identified. By amending provisions in the pre-GDPR Roads Act 1993, the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 seeks to ensure that local authorities will be able to receive and process the data directly. Passage of this Bill is a Programme for Government commitment and the General Scheme received approval for drafting in April of this year. It is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
492. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in rolling out the additional use of cameras to enforce red lights at traffic signals and other motoring offences. [42657/25]
View answerBuilding on expanded camera enforcement hours provided by mobile vans since late 2023 and the rollout of additional average speed camera zones and fixed cameras nationwide since late 2024, the Programme for Government commits to further expansion of cameras to encourage safer driving. This commitment is reaffirmed by Primary Action 6 of the new Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy to 2030, which was published on 16 July.
The framework for this future rollout will be guided by the first National Safety Camera Strategy, the development of which has been led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in partnership with all key road safety agencies and departments.
The Strategy is focused on speeding, red light running and bus lane violations in the first instance but has been designed to accommodate other offences over time. Work on the Strategy is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be completed shortly. It is important to note that finalisation of the Strategy has not prevented the rollout of additional cameras, with three new average speed camera zones and eight fixed camera locations added since late 2024, and a further fixed camera expected to be installed in August.
The National Transport Authority will be leading the development of the approach to camera based enforcement of traffic management offences, with further detail on this to be elaborated later in the year.
493. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or any agency operating under its aegis has, in the past five years, used reserved contracts or included social clauses in public procurement tenders; and if so, to detail the types of contracts or clauses used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42739/25]
View answerMy Department has not used reserved contracts or included social clauses in its tenders in the past five years given the nature of the goods/services required. However, my Department is committed to including such clauses in its tenders where they are appropriate.
The use of reserved contracts or the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement tenders by the state bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the state body concerned. I have referred the Deputy's question to the state bodies in question. Please contact my office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
494. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if the provision of rail to south-west Dublin and to Poolbeg are a priority for his Department in the context of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42741/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including heavy and light rail.
Implementation of the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. The development of a red Luas line extension to Poolbeg is part of the Strategy’s medium to longer-term proposal.
DART+ South West will involve the extension of DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch, including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston. Following the submission of a Railway Order application for DART+ South-West to An Coimisiún Pleanála in March 2023, full planning approval was granted in November 2024. Work is now progressing with a view to moving this project into procurement and thereafter into the construction stage in the coming years.
The Department of Transport's annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030, and the Government's overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035, were confirmed in the recently published National Development Plan Review 2025. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made in the coming months.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
495. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on road maintenance in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025 by local, regional and national roads, in tabular form. [42742/25]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories. Accordingly, these Councils do not feature in most of the grant programmes but are eligible for certain grants such as the training, speed limit signage and road condition survey grants and may apply for monies under the Strategic Grant programme.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, grant funding for maintenance purposes is allocated on the basis of grant programmes and not on the basis of the category of road. The allocation of funding across specific roads or across categories of road is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
The main regional and local road grant programmes are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage, road strengthening based on pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant Scheme which allows for a specified range of activities including winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated taking into account the length of the road network and traffic factors in a particular local authority area. Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is a matter for decision by each local authority.
As regards the funding allocated to and drawn down by local authorities for road maintenance in each of the years 2020 to 2024, details of the regional and local road allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.
To date in 2025, €200,792,972 has been drawn down by local authorities for maintenance works on regional and local roads.
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
National roads allocations for years 2020 - 2024 are available at: https://www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/. Full details of national roads allocations for 2025 are available on the TII website:https://www.tii.ie/media/orbdngms/tii_local-authorities_2025-road-grant-allocations.pdf.
496. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the plans the NTA has to increase the number of park and ride facilities within Clare. [42800/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is leading the development and rollout of strategic park and ride sites nationwide.
The NTA established the Park and Ride Development Office in February 2020, which had been included as an action in the Climate Action Plan 2019. The function of the Office is to enable the delivery of park and ride sites by the NTA in collaboration with Local Authorities and transport operators such as Iarnród Éireann, across the country. Through the Park and Ride Development Office, full-time specialist resources are now employed on such projects.
The Programme for Government commits to working "with local authorities and relevant agencies to develop affordable Park and Ride facilities on the outskirts of major towns and cities". I look forward to further development of Park and Ride facilities in County Clare in the coming years.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
497. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport when it is expected that a new permanent chief executive officer for the National Transport Authority will be appointed. [42801/25]
View answerUnder Section 19 (3) (a) of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA), a non-commercial State agency under my remit, is appointed by the Authority in accordance with procedures determined by the Authority with the consent of the Minister for Transport.
Following consultation with my Department, the NTA undertook an open recruitment campaign, externally facilitated by a professional executive search consultancy firm to select a CEO. In keeping with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, the terms of appointment were agreed with my Department and sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The selection process for a CEO is at an advanced stage and once finalised an announcement is expected over the coming weeks.
498. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of learner drivers who failed to show up for their scheduled driving test appointment in June 2025, by driving test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42830/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. As such, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
499. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver testers currently working in each driving test centre; the number of testers currently in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42831/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. As such, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
500. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the work that has been carried out to date by his Department and or the Attorney General to bring a consolidated road traffic Bill to Dail Éireann; the timeframe proposed to bring the heads of Bill before the Oireachtas Transport Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42832/25]
View answerIt has long been agreed that there is a need to consolidate the Road Traffic Acts, which both this and the previous Government has committed to in their respective Programmes for Government. However, competing for resources with this objective has been the ongoing need to enact further road safety critical and other legislation. Notwithstanding this, with the passage and coming into law of the wide-ranging Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 in the summer of 2023, my officials subsequently held discussions with the Law Reform Commission (LRC) on how best a consolidation project of this scale and magnitude might be carried out.
Following these discussions a project team consisting of a principal officer and an assistant principal was established in Quarter 4 / 2024. In consultation with the LRC and as appropriate with officials from the Office of the Attorney General, this team has been making the necessary preliminary preparations for consolidating all road traffic legislation into one Act – an ambitious objective which the current Programme for Government is committed to.
While this is a large, complicated, and legally challenging project, the resulting end product will be an Act which is intended to form the basis for Irish road traffic law for decades to come. As such, a pathway to realising this objective has been identified and it is my intention to seek Government approval for this way forward following the summer recess.
In terms of timelines, it should be noted that while incorporating a proposed timeframe for this project, it is important to bear in mind that at this stage, any estimated timeframe can at best only be indicative. Depending on what legal issues may arise in this complex area of law as the project progresses, and how long it may take to resolve them, will be the key determining factors influencing the timeline for the delivery of a Consolidated Road Traffic Act. An Act that is intended to be more easily navigable by legal professionals and the general public alike, and which will greatly assist in the enforcement of road traffic law and the advancement of road safety on our roads.
501. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 15 July 2025, the detailed provisions contained in the revised National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 relating to data access by An Garda Síochána; the proposed timeframe for the Bill to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42833/25]
View answerThe National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 strengthens the provisions of the Finance Act 1993 in relation to access to vehicle and driver data by An Garda Síochána and other bodies. The Bill updates the Act, which is pre-GDPR, to bring it in line with current data protection principles. The Bill provides for the making of data sharing agreements with those bodies, as well as providing for limitations on the access to, and use of data both internally in the Department and by those with whom the data is shared. It should be noted that, in practice, these data protection measures are already in place and that the relevant provisions of the Bill are intended to underpin current policy and procedures.
The General Scheme of the Bill has been approved by Government, is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. Subject to the approval of the Oireachtas, the Bill is targeted for enactment before year-end.
