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Road Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020

Thursday, 17 September 2020

Questions (61, 71, 73, 74)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the plans of An Garda Síochána to prioritise and complete the building of its API programme to enable gardaí at roadside checkpoints access to the driver file record database in view of the fact it is crucial that the data which underpins the new Garda mobility devices is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the proposed automated system of sharing information between the Courts Service, the Road Safety Authority, his Department and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24624/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allow access to the driver file database to An Garda Síochána to ascertain whether a driver has a full licence, is a novice or professional driver or is the holder of a learner permit in cases in which a driver licence is not produced at a checkpoint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24626/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

74. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his plans to complete the API programme to share information with An Garda Síochána from the driver file record database to data pertaining to driving licences and learner permits as it is crucial that the data which underpins the new Garda mobility devices is up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24627/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 73 and 74 together.

My Department, through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), currently transfer data daily to An Garda Síochána’s (AGS) Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This dataset contains details of untaxed and untested vehicles (private and commercial) only.

The data extracts to AGS and other relevant stakeholders are provided by legacy systems which do not support easy implementation of 24x7 high availability real-time data.

My officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division (DVCSD), who manage the NVDF, have now developed an Application Program Interface (API) solution which allows for specific real-time data to be shared with requestors in a controlled fashion, and which provides for increased access security and data protection requirements. This will cater for many of the interface requirements for the NVDF in the future such as the Garda Mobility Project, as referenced here.

My Department are currently working with An Garda Síochána with regard to the use of this API to enable their handheld devices access real-time driver and vehicle data. AGS and my officials are currently in the process of determining the data that is required, and ensuring all the relevant legal and data protection provisions are in place. To facilitate improved road traffic enforcement, AGS has requested key additional driver and vehicle data elements that are not currently available via existing data-sharing arrangements.

Some elements of driver data being proposed, including the driver records referenced here, will be made available. In addition, where no drivers licence is produced at the roadside, it is proposed that AGS will have the ability to search the driver record with additional search criteria such as name, address, date of birth etc

While rollout of the handheld devices is ultimately a matter for the Garda Commissioner, my Department recognise the significant role it will have in the enforcement of driver and vehicle regulation, and are very supportive of the initiative.

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