Written answers

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Vehicle and Driver File

Photo of Michael McCarthyMichael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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247. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the legislation surrounding the driver database which would allow a third party to access it with a view to tackling the escalating problem of drivers leaving fuel retail premises without paying for their fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25035/14]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Incidents of the nature mentioned in the question are criminal offences and, accordingly, are appropriate to the Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution if this is warranted. The Garda has full access to the NVDF in the course of their duties. There are provisions under Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993, as amended, and associated regulations (most recently S.I. No. 414 of 2013) whereby National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data may be released directly to third parties. However, data releases involving vehicle ownership details, which is personal information under the Data Protection Acts, are primarily to public bodies, including the Garda Síochána, to assist with delivery of business objectives and to parties for road safety related purposes.

Any extension of access to the NVDF for other purposes would represent a fundamental departure in how the information on the NVDF system is accessed and used. This position is supported by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. There are also concerns that such a departure could adversely impact the integrity of the NVDF and detract from the primary purposes of the system which are the collection of motor tax and enforcement of vehicle regulation. There are not any compelling grounds in these circumstances for access to the NVDF for purposes other than those already mentioned.

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