An Garda Síochána

Thursday, 30 April 2026

Questions (222)

Emer Currie

Question:

222. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if all Gardaí now have full access to the same data contained in the driver file database as those Gardaí recently involved in a pilot project in Kildare/Carlow in December 2025 (details supplied); if so, 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 on the national driver file database to apply the points to a licence/ permit or to allocate a disqualification to a driver's record; and the way in which Gardaí identify this cohort of drivers. [31493/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that full access to the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), with the exception of photographic records which are currently under consideration, is provided to An Garda Síochána. The data are provided in real time by my Department to An Garda Síochána.

Any decision regarding the national roll-out and subsequent management of the NVDF data is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice. My understanding is that An Garda Síochána pilot new technology or data by rolling these outs to certain Roads Policing units initially, before wider use. This is likewise a matter for An Garda Síochána.