Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will arrange an urgent response to Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 27 June 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that as part of the process to ensure penalty points are properly applied, and the legislative requirement to duly complete a fixed charge notice is complied with, Irish driving licence numbers supplied on fixed charge notices are validated at time of payment against the National Driver File. Where the validation process indicates the driving licence number supplied on the fixed charge notice does not relate to the person to whom the notice is addressed, payment is not accepted.

An Garda Síochána recommends that a copy of the licence is attached at time of payment because there is no legislative or regulatory provision by which An Garda Síochána can require or demand a copy of the licence.

The relevant legislation falls under the aegis of the Department of Transport.

I am also informed that statistics are not readily available on the number of cases where the amount payable on foot of fixed charge notices has increased. Compilation of these statistics would necessitate an unjustifiable amount of Garda time and resources to compile.