Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
239. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the drafting of the revised National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025; to provide an indicative timeline for when the sharing and processing of road traffic collision data with local authorities will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52719/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary questions No.437 of 13 May 2025, No. 318 of 15 July 2025 and No. 501 of 29 July 2025, if the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 has now been drafted; if the Bill has been approved by the Oireachtas and targeted for enactment before the end of 2025, which includes a provision to strengthen the legislative basis for all agencies including An Garda Síochána requiring access to data held on the NVDF database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52840/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 251 together.
The 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, extensive data date sharing is already in place and that the relevant provisions of the Bill are intended to underpin current policy and procedures.
The Bill also provides for the sharing of traffic collision data with local authorities. Collision data are collected by members of An Garda Síochána at the scene of road traffic accidents. These data were previously shared with local authorities, to enable them to identify locations of interest (accident blackspots) that would benefit from safety improvements. Due to the presence of personal information in the data, legal advice related to GDPR has meant that local authorities have stopped receiving collision data since November 2023. As an interim measure, the Department of Transport has been undertaking detailed collision analysis on the regional and local road network to identify locations of interest. When locations of interest are identified, the Department notifies the affected local authority. In turn, local authorities can apply for funding of low-cost safety schemes for these locations of interest.
The Bill also provides for the abolition of the requirement to display a motor tax disc, provides for open-ended declarations of non-use of a vehicle and amends a provision relating to the variation of speed limits.
The General Scheme of the Bill has been approved by Government and the Bill is a priority for drafting during the current legislative term. Once published, enactment is subject to Oireachtas scheduling and to approval of the Bill by the Oireachtas.
