Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1218. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with driving while disqualified within Garda C district within DMR in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38830/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic offences. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, creates the offence of ‘Driving without a Driving Licence’. I am advised by Garda authorities that there is no separate offence of ‘Driving While Disqualified’.
Section 38 creates an offence of driving without a licence and section 38(5) provides a more severe penalty for driving without a licence during the period of disqualification; however, the offence remains one of simply driving without a licence.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of charges and summonses created for the offence of ‘Driving Without a Driving Licence’ in Store Street district.
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
152 |
96 |
The figures for 2023 are up to date as of 6 September 2023. These figures are based on operational data from the PULSE system and, as such, may be liable to change.
