Mr. David Sheahan:

Yes. The phone is the same as any other mobile phone but there is a Garda site on it which is encrypted, so the information we get is encrypted. It has the same level of governance as we would have on the PULSE system, for example, if I was using the PULSE system in my home station. What it does for us is bring the information straight to the garda on the side of the road in order that he or she can deal with the issue there and then, without needing to go back to the station.

My fear in this respect is that I could be operating a checkpoint on the road today, and somebody could hand me a licence and I would say everything is perfect and wish the person goodbye. However, if I can check it on the side of the road there and then, I will know exactly whether the person is disqualified or not, irrespective of whether they have surrendered their licence or not.