Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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859. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make legislative changes to encourage all drivers to take out motor insurance; his views that the current penalties for not having insurance are inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23066/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 makes it compulsory for a person, other than an exempted person, driving a motorised vehicle in a public place to be covered by third party motor insurance. 

The penalties for non-compliance with this legisaltion do not include minimum fines. The level of a fine to be imposed following conviction is at the discretion of the Judge hearing the case.

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.