Driver Licences

Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Questions (136)

Emer Currie

Question:

136. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 5 March 2026, for an update on the written request made by An Garda Síochána to his Department in September 2025 where they outlined their view of the necessity and lawful basis for the inclusion of driving licence photographs and signatures in the NVDF data sharing; and if his Department has sought legal advice to confirm the position with regard to sharing of the photo to support law enforcement and road safety. [54056/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

An Garda Síochána wrote to my Department in September 2025 outlining their view of the necessity and lawful basis for the inclusion of driving licence photographs and signatures in the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data sharing.

MY Department has considered An Garda Siochana’s request and is in the process of seeking advice from its Data Protection Officer and Legal Services Division to confirm the position with regard to the sharing of the additional data fields.

It is hoped that this process will be concluded prior to the enactment of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill which will provide an improved legislative basis for data sharing under the NVDF database.