Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland's estimate that uninsured drivers kill 20 people each year and leave a further 2,000 others seriously injured; the plans he or his Department have to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The figure quoted by the Deputy is an estimate by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland based on the Insurance Industry's claim that 6% of motor vehicles are currently uninsured.

Any level of uninsured driving is a matter of concern to me. Several steps have been taken in recent years to reduce the level of uninsured driving. The Garda Traffic Corps has been substantially expanded to improve compliance with all road traffic legislation including motor insurance requirements. Legislation has also been put in place to extend the powers of the Gardaí to permit the seizure of all uninsured vehicles. In addition, since the introduction of the Penalty Points system, 6,539 persons have received penalty points for uninsured driving up to the end of September 2007.