Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 65: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on national road safety that one in every 20 vehicles on roads here reportedly do not have insurance; the plans that he has to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17870/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Road Traffic Acts already provide for the offence of using a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place without Third Party motor insurance. Penalties available under the Acts include a consequential disqualification or the endorsement of 5 penalty points on a driving licence record of a person convicted of such an offence.

Under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and associated regulations, a member of the Garda Síochána who is of opinion that a vehicle is being used in a public place without motor insurance is authorised to take such steps, in accordance with the regulations, as s/he thinks fit, for the detention, removal and storage of the vehicle.

I have no plans to provide for further offences in relation to motor insurance. Enforcement of these existing offences is a matter for the Garda Síochána and the Courts Service.

All victims of uninsured driving are entitled to compensation through the Motor Insurer's Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) which is funded through motor insurance premia.