Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Questions (131)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions No. 61, 71, 73 and 74 of 17 September 2020, if he will report on the time frame when his officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division who manage the NVDF will have completed the development of its application programme interface solution to allow specific real-time data to be shared with An Garda Síochána to enable their hand-held devices access real-time driver and vehicle data; the key additional driver and vehicle data requested from him by An Garda Síochána that is not currently available via existing data sharing arrangements; if An Garda Síochána will have access to the driver licence number when accessing the driver file at the roadside using their mobility device; the additional search criteria that An Garda Síochána will have access to from the driver record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

My Department have developed an Application Programme Interface (API) to enable real time access to driver and vehicle data on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) in a controlled fashion. My officials continue to work with An Garda Síochána with regard to the use of the API to enable their handheld devices access specific data that enables improved road enforcement.

While the technical solution is advanced, the provision of any such data shared, including the data items referenced here, are currently being considered from a legal and data protection perspective.