asked the Minister for the Environment the circumstances in which and the persons to whom a local authority may reveal the engine number and chassis number of a car other than the owner of the car; if he is aware that this information if given to a third party may place that person in a position to get a key for the car and subsequently steal it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Motor Registration.
371.
Article 17 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1958 as amended by the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1977, provides that a licensing authority shall, upon application, supply free of charge to any other licensing authority, or to any officer of the Garda Síochána or a member of the Garda Síochána authorised by such an officer, or to any collector of Customs and Excise, or (with my consent) to any Department of State, or to any local authority exercising functions pursuant to the Local Authorities (Traffic Wardens) Act, 1975 (No. 14 of 1975), full particulars of any vehicle registered with them or of any trade licence issued by them. The regulations do not provide for supply of these particulars, including the engine and chassis number of a vehicle, to any other person or body. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.