Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
139. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inquiries sent by An Garda Síochána to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to establish the validity of driving licences in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the average amount of time to receive a response from the RSA with the required information in each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5975/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the matter referred to in the Deputy's question and will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 139 for answer on Tuesday, 7 February, 2017, in which you requested the number of enquiries sent by An Garda Síochána to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to establish the validity of driving licence numbers in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, and the average amount of time it takes the Gardaí to receive a response from the RSA with the required information in each of these years.
As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again following receipt of a report from An Garda Síochána.
I am informed that the number of enquires to the RSA to establish the validity of a driving licence numbers is not available from An Garda Síochána. However, I am further informed that, the RSA holds a database of all requests from An Garda Síochána and I have requested the information be sent to you directly.
In so far as the average amount of time it takes for An Garda Síochána to receive a response is concerned, I am informed by the Garda authorities that on average a response is received from the RSA within five working days.
I hope this information is of assistance.
