An Garda Síochána

Thursday, 23 April 2026

Questions (444, 446)

Emer Currie

Question:

444. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No.119 of 28 January 2026, if all Gardaí now have full access to the same data which has been very beneficial in helping An Garda Síochána to detect more disqualified drivers and establishing if drivers hold a learner permit or full driving licence (details supplied); the way in which this system works with regard to the many drivers convicted in court on penalty point offences and/or were disqualified in court but no record of their driver number was recorded to apply the points to a licence/permit or to allocate a disqualification to a driver's record file. [29530/26]

View answer

Emer Currie

Question:

446. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No.119 of 28 January 2026, if all Gardai now have full access to the same data which has been very beneficial in helping An Garda Síochána to detect more disqualified drivers and establishing if drivers hold a learner permit or full driving licence; how this system works with regard to the many drivers convicted in court on penalty point offences and or were disqualified in court but no record of their driver number was recorded to apply the points to a licence/ permit or to allocate a disqualification to a driver's record file. [29550/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 446 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that after the success of the pilot, all members of An Garda Síochána, through their mobility devices, have access to National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data including full licence/learner permit details, particulars of disqualifications and current penalty points.

Files containing vehicle and driving licence data from the NVDF transfer to An Garda Síochána on a nightly basis. This means that the NVDF data available to An Garda Síochána for enforcement purposes is effectively real time and up to date to within 24 hours.

The NVDF is maintained by the Department of Transport and not An Garda Síochána. As a result I am unable to provide information related to the administration of the NVDF. Additionally it should be noted that the Courts are independent in their functions.