Written answers

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Vehicle and Driver File

Photo of Emer CurrieEmer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 437 on the 13th May 2025, if the revised National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 that was sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, has been drafted; the proposed timeframe to facilitate greater real time access to the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) database by An Garda Siochana in future, to assist them with enforcement and contribute to safety on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39375/25]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 has been approved by Government for drafting and has been sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.

Among its main provisions, the Bill:

  • Improves the existing legislative basis underpinning the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database. which pre-dates GDPR, and the data held on it, as well as providing for the transfer of data to such bodies as may be required in the performance of their functions;
  • Removes the requirement to display a paper Motor Tax disc, as part of the wider project to abolish the need to display paper discs;
  • Removes the current 12-month maximum and allows for open-ended declarations of non-use of a motor vehicle;
  • Amends the Road Traffic Act 2004 to allow for a speed limit of 60km/h on local roads within built-up areas;
  • Amends the Roads Act 1993 to provide a basis for the sharing and processing of road traffic collision data with local authorities to enable them to assess safety risks and target maintenance on public roads.
While generally strengthening the legislative basis for all bodies requiring access to data held on the NVDF, the Bill does not contain specific provisions relating to access by An Garda Síochána. Currently, and underpinned by existing legislation, a file transfers from my Department to An Garda Síochána on a nightly basis containing vehicle and driving licence data. This means that the data available to An Garda Síochána for enforcement purposes is effectively real time and up to date to within 24 hours.

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