Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic offences. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no separate offence of ‘Driving While Disqualified’. For the Deputy's information, Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, creates the offence of ‘Driving without a Driving Licence’.

Section 38 creates an offence of driving without a licence and section 38(5) provides a more severe penalty for driving without a licence during the period of disqualification. However, the offence remains one of simply driving without a licence.

The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of charges and summonses created for the offence of ‘Driving Without a Driving Licence’ in Blanchardstown district.

*2024 figures cover the period from 1 January 2024 to 8 April 2024, inclusive. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.