Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to reduce the large number of uninsured drivers estimated at nearly 200,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10229/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The completion of a central record of all insured vehicles, the Motor Insurance Database, will play a key role in reducing uninsured driving.

The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, currently before the Oireachtas, will strengthen the operation of the Database. Under the new provisions, motor insurers must provide the policy number and, for all insured under the policy, their names, addresses, dates of birth, and driver numbers to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland within 5 working days of a policy being issued, cancelled or amended. Vehicle registration numbers will also have to be provided for all vehicles covered by the policy.

The Database will assist An Garda Síochána to identify uninsured vehicles or drivers. As uninsured drivers tend to be involved in other road traffic offences, reducing uninsured driving will assist Ireland to meet its long-term goal of achieving zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050. Reducing the numbers of uninsured vehicles and drivers will also help to bring down the cost of insurance for law-abiding drivers.