Incidents of the nature mentioned in the question are criminal offences and, accordingly, are appropriate to the Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution if this is warranted. The Garda has full access to the NVDF in the course of their duties. There are provisions under Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993, as amended, and associated regulations (most recently S.I. No. 414 of 2013) whereby National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data may be released directly to third parties. However, data releases involving vehicle ownership details, which is personal information under the Data Protection Acts, are primarily to public bodies, including the Garda Síochána, to assist with delivery of business objectives and to parties for road safety related purposes.
Any extension of access to the NVDF for other purposes would represent a fundamental departure in how the information on the NVDF system is accessed and used. This position is supported by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. There are also concerns that such a departure could adversely impact the integrity of the NVDF and detract from the primary purposes of the system which are the collection of motor tax and enforcement of vehicle regulation. There are not any compelling grounds in these circumstances for access to the NVDF for purposes other than those already mentioned.