Pa Daly
Ceist:73. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport his views on the renewal of car insurance in circumstances in which drivers’ licences are delayed or are unable to be renewed. [2264/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 20 January 2021
Ceisteanna (73)
Freagraí scríofa
I am aware that, under the current Level 5 circumstances, some people are experiencing unavoidable delays in renewing their driving licences. As you know, a person cannot drive legally without a licence or without insurance.
My Department remains in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to the impact of Covid on its services, and consideration is currently being given to a possible further extension of the period of validity of driving licences at a European level.
In the meantime, I understand that the RSA has been in touch with the insurance industry about delays in the driver licensing service, and I gather that both Insurance Ireland and the AA have indicated to the RSA that this will not affect people's cover.
As a point of fact, I should observe that insurance companies are private companies, and under EU law the Government has no power to issue instructions relating to the terms and conditions of their policies.