Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
502. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice , further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168, 172 and 173 of 17 September 2020, if she has received the report requested from An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41291/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168, 172 and 173, which were for answer on 17 September 2020, where the Deputy asked:
- If An Garda Síochána is capturing driver licence numbers at point of detection and recording the driver number on summonses; if the Courts Service is accepting this data and inputting the information on the disqualification orders for recording onto the national vehicle and driver file database.
- If the Courts Service is still using a manual form of sending details of drivers disqualified in court in batches of 1,600 at the end of each month to the RSA for later input onto the national driver file database (the database that Gardaí at the roadside rely on for the latest, most up to date driver information to identify, on the spot, those driving while disqualified); and,
- If I will report on plans by the Courts Service to automate its system of recording drivers disqualified in court and forwarding the data electronically to the national vehicle and driver file.
As you know, I sought clarification from your office in relation to Question No. 168 and you have confirmed you were referring to the licence number. At the outset please allow me to apologise for the delay in responding to your questions.
As you are aware, the Commissioner is responsible for the direction and control of An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner is also responsible for the day to day management of An Garda Síochána which includes operational/road traffic matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána have the facility to perform driver look-ups when engaging with motorists, when they are using the Mobility Data Stations.
This aids in the capture of the driver licence number at point of detection and using the Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) App allows this number, once captured, to follow the offence until completed, either by payment of fine or completion in Courts.
As you are aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that a project is underway to provide for electronic transfer of disqualification orders to the relevant agency once the time period to lodge an appeal has passed, and no appeal has been lodged. I am further informed that this project is being progressed under the oversight of the Circuit and District Courts Operations Directorate.
I understand that this project is being pursued by the Courts Service independently of the work ongoing in An Garda Síochána to progress the mobility project.
I am further advised that manual notices continue to be sent to the Road Safety Authority with details of drivers disqualified. However, the Courts Service has been ready to automate the electronic transfer to disqualification to the National Driver Licence Service and the Road Safety Authority since the end of 2019 and are awaiting confirmation from the Department of Transport that they are able to receive the data in this format.
Finally, I am informed that, since 1 May 2020, the Courts Service has been sending the manual Court Notices relating to disqualifications to the Road Safety Authority on a weekly basis as opposed to monthly.
