Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
336. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the records that are kept by the Courts Service on disqualified drivers who failed to surrender their licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46088/14]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the arrangements in relation to driving licences changed in January 2013. Up to then, when a person was disqualified by a court, they had to send/hand their driving licence into the court office. The disqualification was physically marked on the licence which was then sent to the relevant motor tax office where it was held until the period of disqualification was completed or the licence was restored by the court.
From January 2013, the person was required to send the licence directly to the licensing authority. This coincided with the introduction of the new card type driving licences on which details of a disqualification could not physically be entered. The fines notice which now issues to the person who was fined and disqualified includes the following "Please forward your driving licence to the National Driver Licence Service, PO Box 858, Southside Delivery Office, Cork for the purpose of having the particulars of the conviction of disqualification of the District Court endorsed on your driver record".
As the Courts Service no longer has a role in relation to the surrender of a licence by the disqualified driver no records are maintained in this regard. In relation to the role of the Road Safety Authority in this regard, I understand that my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will reply to the Deputy.
