(Dublin North-West) asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals his Department have in relation to the increase in the number of road accidents where motor vehicles not covered by insurance or road tax are involved.

Stringent measures in support of road safety generally and against uninsured driving in particular have recently been announced on behalf of the Government. In addition to intensifying the enforcement by the Garda of existing legal requirements, substantially increased penalties for uninsured driving will be provided for in a Bill which I will shortly be circulating. I will also be introducing mandatory display of a windscreen insurance disc following consultation with the interests involved as to the administrative means. Steps are also being taken to improve the system of issuing reminders regarding payment of road tax.

Ongoing accident counter-measures will continue to be applied, supplemented by a number of other new measures announced in the recent Government statement, to combat the incidence of accidents on the roads.