National Vehicle and Driver File Access

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2014

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Questions (654)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

654. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1122 and 1123 of 4 November 2014, if an agreement has now been reached between his Department and insurance companies on the conditions, including data protection safeguards, which would cover the supply of data from the national vehicle and driver file to insurance companies; and if the supply of data to such companies has now commenced. [48063/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The agreement between my Department and motor insurers in respect of supply of penalty points data from the National Vehicle and Driver File, which is underpinned by Section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2014, is now in place. It is expected that the process of supplying the data will commence on Wednesday, 17 December. Initially, for a very short period, the arrangement will involve one major insurer to validate the process in live operation and it is planned that other insurers will follow on a graduated basis with the overall objective that all insurers will avail of the facility without undue delay.