Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 17 September 2020, the timeframe for the creation and completion of a motor third party liability insurance database to capture driver details, including driver number when processing an insurance application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41296/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) database is a project which has been underway for some years.  As I am sure the Deputy will agree, it will when completed be an invaluable tool assisting the Garda in identifying uninsured drivers.  Success in reducing uninsured driving will make our roads safer, and should also contribute to a reduction in the cost of insurance.

Legislation to underpin a future MTPL database was passed originally in 2010.  However, as planning for the database proceeded it became clear that this legislation was far from adequate, and it was substantially amended in 2016, with a small further amendment in 2018.

The legislation was partially commenced in December 2018, which allowed for the first phase of data to be uploaded to the system.  This represents private insurance policies or about 92% of those in the country, and I would like to acknowledge the cooperation of all stakeholders in bringing this about.  Completion of the remainder of the database will require some final legislative amendments, which I shall bring forward as part of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.  These will address both the issues of the driver number and policies which relate to vehicle fleets.