Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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1595. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering increasing the current penalties for a driver caught driving without insurance, such as introducing a minimum fine of €10,000, imposing automatic penalty points and the automatic suspension of a persons driving licence. [36980/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Road Traffic legislation does not provide for minimum fines, as the level of a fine to be imposed following conviction must be at the discretion of the Judge hearing the case. 

Furthermore, the fine suggested by the Deputy would mean that such cases could no longer be dealt with summarily in the District Courts. At present, District Court Judges have the discretion to deal with the offence of driving without insurance either as a penalty point offence, with 5 points being endorsed or one attracting a consequential disqualification following conviction. Both attract a maximum fine of €5,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months. I do not have any plans to amend the current legislation.