Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

725. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes which can be expected from the Road Traffic (PRüM Decisions) Bill; and if a date has been agreed as to when the Bill will be brought before Dáil Éireann. [4417/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

EU Council Decisions 2008/615/JHA and 2008/616/JHA, commonly referred to as the 'Prüm Decisions', relate to measures on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combatting terrorism and cross-border crime.

The Decisions include conditions and procedures for the automated exchange of DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data, with the latter falling within the remit of my Department and the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF).

There are two dimensions in relation to the exchange of vehicle registration data under the Decisions, namely requests from other EU Member States for details on Irish registered vehicles and requests from Irish law enforcement authorities (An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners) for details on vehicles registered in other Member States.

While it is considered that the NVDF is best suited to fulfil the designated national contact point role for incoming requests for vehicle registration data, that role must be underpinned in primary legislation.

The General Scheme of a Road Traffic ('Prüm Decisions') Bill, which is currently being prepared by my officials, will provide such legal vires in addition to setting out the mechanisms for the exchange of vehicle registration data. I intend bringing a Memorandum to Government in that regard as soon as possible.