Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
294. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date following requests by Garda authorities in 2019 for access to driving licence photographs at roadside checkpoints from the National Driver File database; the reason for the six year delay in making a decision whether to grant access. [18133/26]
View answerThe General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 has been approved by Government and is with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. Among the provisions included in this General Scheme is to improve the legislative basis underpinning the National Vehicle and Driver File database. Once the improved legislative basis for data sharing is in place, the Department will consider appropriate access to additional data fields to support law enforcement and road safety.
An Garda Síochána wrote to my Department in September 2025 to outline their view of the necessity and lawful basis for the inclusion of driving licence photographs and signatures in the NVDF data sharing. The Department of Transport has considered An Garda Siochana’s request and is in the process of seeking legal advice to confirm the position with regard to sharing of the photo. It is hoped that this process will be concluded by the summer, which would coincide with the planned enactment of the National Vehicle and Driver Bill.
