James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures he will undertake to ensure all cars in the Balbriggan area are compliant with tax regulations, national car test and are insured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48126/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant road traffic legislation, including the Road Traffic and Road Transport Acts. This may occur as part of specific road traffic law enforcement activity or general policing activity. Members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and unplanned checkpoints, including those carried out under Operation Anvil and mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints.

Under Department of Finance legislation the registration of vehicles is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their officers, who are based at numerous locations in the State, carry out regular and ongoing checks to identify and deal with breaches of vehicle registration tax regulations in connection with the use of foreign registered vehicles in the State. They also carry out coordinated national enforcement campaigns under finance legislation to detect infringements of law in this area.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that mobile patrols have been directed by local Garda management to pay particular attention to the Balbriggan Garda District. I am further informed that in the Balbriggan Garda District in 2008, An Garda Síochána seized under the provisions of road traffic legislation and finance legislation, 319 vehicles for the offences of no driving licence, no insurance and the non-display of a current tax disc or NCT certificate. To date, 162 proceedings have commenced for the offence of having no tax displayed and 147 proceedings have commenced for the offence of having no insurance in 2008.

An Garda Síochána will continue to conduct enforcement initiatives to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries, increase driver awareness, promote an improved compliance culture amongst the road-users and prevent and detect breaches of road traffic and transport legislation.