Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has concerns for national road safety given that reportedly one in every 20 vehicles on Irish roads does not have tax or insurance; the actions he is taking to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31133/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic Acts provide for the offence of driving 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 the 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.

Motor Tax is a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.