Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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589. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 10 May 2017, the status of the examinations for the information to be stored on the microchip in the cards; if he will report on the document received by his Department from the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25466/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The format of the plastic card driving licence is set out in EU legislation, which makes a microchip an optional feature.  The principal reason for the chip is to enhance the security of the card licence and prevent fraud and forgery.

Most EU Member States do not incorporate a microchip on their licences.  Irish licences do contain a microchip, although the chip is not at present in use to store licence data.  It does contain administrative information about the production of the card.

Where Member States make use of the chip, it should, under EU law, contain the basic data printed on the licence.  Member States may include additional data on the chip, but need EU approval before proceeding to do so.

The RSA recently submitted a paper to my Department on the future of the microchip, and this is being considered by my Department.