Question to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Mr. Paschal Donohoe, TD)
To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures and supports in place to assist persons who are involved in traffic accidents, where the person who caused the damage is an uninsured driver; the circumstances under which a person may claim against the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, pending finalisation of a claim against the Bureau; the facilities in place to assist victims of such accidents meeting the costs which arise from an accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. -Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN ANSWER on 16, June, 2015.
REPLY
Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 makes it compulsory for a person, other than an exempted person, driving a motorised vehicle to be covered by third party motor insurance. Third party claims against any insured driver have to be met by the insurer under the terms of the EU Motor Insurance Directives which have been transposed into law in Ireland.
Third party claims against an uninsured driver are the remit of the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland which is also subject to the terms of the EU Motor Insurance Directives. The Bureau operates under an Agreement with my Department, copies of which are available on their website. The website also includes advice and support to those injured or suffering loss in such circumstances.