Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Motor Vehicle Licences.

Noel Ahern

Question:

211 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the regulations in relation to granting a PSV licence to a person with a prison record; if the relevant officer can exercise discretion in the area; if it is in order to discriminate against someone who was involved in political issues in the North 25 years ago and has lived in Dublin for the past 17 years; and the progress made on an application from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [17211/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no regulations in relation to granting a public service vehicle licence to a person with a previous record. The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations, 1970, (S.I. 200 of 1970), puts responsibility on the authorised officer to ensure applicants are fit and proper persons to be granted a PSV licence. It is not the policy of the Garda Síochána to discriminate against any person.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the case referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed in accordance with Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, as amended.