Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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393. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding errors in the information technology database; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18226/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by An Garda Síochána that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is an in-car camera system installed in selected Garda vehicles and used to read vehicle registration plates and to check them against various databases. It is employed by An Garda Síochána to support a wide range of roads and other policing functions, including detection of stolen and untaxed vehicles, and for crime detection purposes. The total cost of the project since its commencement in 2008 is €1.373m.

I am further informed that certain anomalies emerged in 2014 in relation to a database of uninsured vehicles provided by the car insurance industry to An Garda Síochána, and that is was agreed that this database be withdrawn. An Garda Síochána is working with the relevant stakeholders to resolve these issues.

No proceedings were commenced against drivers with valid insurance as a consequence of these anomalies, nor were additional costs incurred by An Garda Síochána. The Garda PULSE IT system is not affected by this development. I am further advised that there has been no discernible impact on roads policing enforcement and that all other databases used by the ANPR system remain fully operational.