Question to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, TD)
To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to review the enforcement of the requirement for all drivers to have insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN ANSWER on 16, June, 2015.
REPLY
As the Deputy will be aware, I have no direct role in operational road traffic enforcement which is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I can, however, assure the Deputy that roads policing continues to be a priority for An Garda Síochána and all aspects in respect of its enforcement are kept under review.
While members of the Garda Traffic Corps in every Garda Division are specifically tasked with the enforcement of the road traffic and road transport legislation, all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the provisions of all criminal law, including the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Acts. An Garda Síochána continuously conducts awareness and education campaigns and enforcement initiatives to increase driver awareness and prevent and detect breaches of road traffic and transport legislation, thus promoting an improved compliance culture among road-users. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is extensive enforcement of motor insurance legislation compliance with 101,731 prosecutions instigated for no insurance between 2012 to 7 April 2015.