Catherine Murphy
Question:
171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the new Garda mobility device records and stores information on the number of disqualified drivers detected at roadside checks; if An Garda Síochána is keeping records of the number detected driving while disqualified for operational and statistical reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24640/20]
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I have written to An Garda Síochána requesting a report on the information sought by the Deputy, and will revert when this is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 171 which was for answer on the 17 September 2020 where you asked if the new Garda mobility device records and stores information on the number of disqualified drivers detected at roadside checks and if An Garda Síochána is keeping records of the number detected driving while disqualified for operational and statistical reasons. As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.
The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána and accordingly, please note the following.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the mobile data station is a key tool used by frontline Gardaí in detecting motoring offences, allowing them to access real time information on drivers and vehicles, and most recently to electronically initiate fixed charge penalty notices.
It is part of an overall programme of digitalising policing where Garda tradecraft and experience are being increasingly complemented by device-based access to data. It is important to emphasise that it is the Garda rather than the device that makes the detection. Equally, it should be noted that there is not necessarily a correlation between a lookup on a device and a subsequent detection.
It is important to note that the device does not retain incident data locally for security reasons and it is not possible to definitively answer the question as to the exact number of detections of driving while disqualified made using a mobile data station because this involves a degree of subjective assessment.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to identify specific numbers of detections or arrests for driving while disqualified (additional powers were provided to An Garda Síochána, allowing the arrest of people who drive while disqualified under section 6(b) and (c) of the Road Traffic Act 2014), as this would necessitate a manual trawl of all relevant incidents recorded on PULSE to collate same, which would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Questions Nos. 172 and 173 answered with Question No. 168.
