Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

540 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself that the agreement to supply information in respect of penalty points to a company (details supplied) is in the consumer interest in view of the decision by the company not to quote for new motor business for consumers with five or more penalty points; if his initial decision to impart penalty points information has been agreed with the Data Protection Commissioner and the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25371/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The national driver file on which penalty points are recorded is held under section 60 of the Finance Act 1993 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who must make regulations to allow access to the records to persons other than those specified in that section. Discussions are ongoing in the light of advice from the Data Protection Commissioner as to the nature of the access and the extent to which such data may be made available to an insurer. Notwithstanding any such arrangements the cost and availability of insurance is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.