I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71, 73 and 74 together.
My Department, through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), currently transfer data daily to An Garda Síochána’s (AGS) Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This dataset contains details of untaxed and untested vehicles (private and commercial) only.
The data extracts to AGS and other relevant stakeholders are provided by legacy systems which do not support easy implementation of 24x7 high availability real-time data.
My officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division (DVCSD), who manage the NVDF, have now developed an Application Program Interface (API) solution which allows for specific real-time data to be shared with requestors in a controlled fashion, and which provides for increased access security and data protection requirements. This will cater for many of the interface requirements for the NVDF in the future such as the Garda Mobility Project, as referenced here.
My Department are currently working with An Garda Síochána with regard to the use of this API to enable their handheld devices access real-time driver and vehicle data. AGS and my officials are currently in the process of determining the data that is required, and ensuring all the relevant legal and data protection provisions are in place. To facilitate improved road traffic enforcement, AGS has requested key additional driver and vehicle data elements that are not currently available via existing data-sharing arrangements.
Some elements of driver data being proposed, including the driver records referenced here, will be made available. In addition, where no drivers licence is produced at the roadside, it is proposed that AGS will have the ability to search the driver record with additional search criteria such as name, address, date of birth etc
While rollout of the handheld devices is ultimately a matter for the Garda Commissioner, my Department recognise the significant role it will have in the enforcement of driver and vehicle regulation, and are very supportive of the initiative.