Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:
173. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 2 October 2018, if the short-term measure of the Garda information technology section is completed; the status of that Garda report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49774/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that while the report requested in October 2018 is being processed, it is, unfortunately, not yet to hand.
I have requested an urgent update from An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter, and will be in contact with the Deputy on receipt of the Garda report.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions 293 of 2 October and 173 of 28 November 2018. The Deputy asked for information pertaining to the Garda IT section developing a report, to allow Garda personnel on the ground to search for disqualified drivers in a particular geographical area, which would assist local gardaí in ensuring that drivers are not driving while disqualified.
Apologies for the delay in responding, however, as the Deputy will recall a report on this matter was requested from An Garda Síochána. This report has now been received and confirms that Garda IT section have designed the aforementioned report, which is now available to all Garda members.
The Deputy may also be interested in the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme, a part of which was a Mobility Pilot in the Limerick Division. As part of this pilot, 50 front-line members were given a fully secure operational smartphone with policing apps, including a new Garda traffic app and secure Garda e-mail app.
The traffic app has the following capabilities and allows pilot participants to access the following data in PULSE:
- The vehicle search via registration number returns data relating to vehicle warnings, make, model, year, chassis number, current owner, motor tax status, vehicle intelligence catalogue.
- The driving license data (via name and/or DOB, license number, stock number) search returns data relating to driver name, address, DOB, current license status, disqualified by court order and disqualified due to penalty points and using the license of a deceased person.
Also, members of An Garda Síochána have access on the PULSE system to a facility that will identify if a person is the holder of a driving licence, and if the driving licence is currently disqualified.
I hope this information has been of some assistance to the Deputy.
