Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that police sources in the United Kingdom have access to equipment which can identify drivers who have no licence or insurance through a system that operates through patrol cars; if his Department has had discussions with An Garda Síochána regarding this matter to see if these pieces of equipment can be installed within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4024/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that a pilot project using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems in Garda vehicles has been successfully completed. Approval to proceed with a nationwide system has been conveyed and the Garda authorities will shortly hold a tender competition for the supply of the system. The primary focus of the system will be to check against watch lists that relate directly to the vehicle through its number-plate. Accordingly, to ensure maximum efficiency of the system, it is planned that the system will concentrate on checks against databases of stolen and untaxed vehicles and other vehicles brought to the attention of the Gardaí.

With regard to the extent to which the system could be used to check for no insurance or driver licences, I am advised that this would depend on the potential development of databases linking vehicles with licences and insurance. I am, however, advised that the proposed ANPR system could be used for this purpose if such databases could be developed.