Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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906. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the law in relation to persons driving with no insurance as the current average fines are well below the average premium cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46654/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Under the Road Traffic Acts it is an offence to use a vehicle in a public place unless the user of that vehicle is covered by insurance for third party liability. Driving without insurance is generally punishable by a fine of up to €5,000, disqualification of one year or more for a first offence and two years or more for a second offence, and, at the discretion of the court, a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months.

In the case of a first offence of driving without insurance, the court may decide in special cases not to impose a period of disqualification or to impose a period of disqualification of less than a year. Since 1 June 2003, where the court decides not to impose a disqualification, drivers convicted of a first offence of driving without insurance will incur 5 penalty points on their licence record in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court. The commission of a second offence for driving without insurance leads to an automatic disqualification.

In addition, it should be noted that where a member of the Garda Síochána believes that a mechanically propelled vehicle being used in a public place, which is registered in the State, is being driven without insurance, the vehicle may be impounded.