Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 7

Written Answers. - Road Accidents involving Non-Nationals.

Tony Gregory

Question:

45 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline (a) the Garda response to a traffic accident (details supplied), (b) the action they have taken to date, (c) the contact, if any, they have had with the Welsh police on the matter and (d) whether there is anything further they can do to assist the Irish motorist involved; and if he will outline the general Garda response to road accidents involving non-nationals who fail to provide motor insurance and other details.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the local gardaí immediately responded to the report of the accident and the vehicle in question was quickly intercepted.

Where a traffic accident occurs involving a vehicle normally based in another member state of the European Community or an associated state, the gardaí are obliged to forward certain particulars to the Irish Visiting Motorists Bureau, which is deemed to be the insurer of all such vehicles. There is no need to contact the police in the member state concerned. These details were supplied by the gardaí to the bureau in respect of the vehicle to which the Deputy refers and the Irish motorist in question would be advised to contact the bureau — whose address is 3 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2 — for further assistance in the matter.

In the case of vehicles normally based in a foreign country other than a member state of the European Community or an associated state, the Garda have certain powers to demand production of insurance from a person driving such a vehicle. In the event of failure to produce such documentation the gardaí are empowered to prohibit the use of the vehicle and, if necessary, to detain it until insurance is produced.