Mr. Drew Harris:

We do not have access to the full file. We have partial access to the insurance data, which is very useful, as seen by the number of seizures of vehicles that had no insurance, and will improve when we get access to, in effect, fleet insurance information. We have had full access to that data since November and in effect have doubled the seizure of vehicles that are uninsured. That makes a very significant contribution to road safety and also to tackling crime. It takes run-arounds and vehicles that are available to criminals off the streets. That is very important.

The data in respect of drivers is also important. Garda members on the ground, who are dealing with an individual in front of them on the side of the road, having access to information on what vehicles this person should be driving, what he or she has a learner permit for as opposed to a full driving licence, and what his or her penalty points are, etc., can make a difference.