Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures which are in place or guidelines which have been established to facilitate the enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts by the Garda Síochána in respect of non-nationals and in particular to deal with the inspection of documentation including insurance certificates in foreign languages; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties which have arisen in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15810/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Supreme Court in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions v Patrick O'Connor considered the application of EC Directive 72/166/EEC in this jurisdiction. The court held that random, non-discriminatory checks were permitted, but that if checks are to be random they should not be aimed against foreign registered cars only. The enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts by members of the Garda Síochána does not distinguish between Irish nationals and non-nationals.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the insurance of foreign registered vehicles in use in Ireland is covered by the green card system. This system was established in 1953 to facilitate free movement of vehicles across territorial borders and to ensure equal treatment for victims of collisions caused by foreign vehicles. The green card is an international motor insurance certificate. This document is recognised in all EU member states as evidence of insurance. The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland is the body with responsibility for the operation of the system in Ireland.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that translation facilities are available to the Garda Síochána should they be required.

A new foreign language road safety campaign was recently launched by my colleague the Minister for Transport. The objective of the campaign is to provide safety information to various minority ethnic groups. It focuses on legal requirements and road safety advice when driving in Ireland. Leaflets have been printed in a number of different languages and distributed to Garda stations and workplaces where non-nationals are likely to work.