asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the large number of uninsured motorists driving and the problems caused when these individuals are involved in road accidents, he will consider:—(a) introducing a disc that would be displayed on all car windscreens indicating that drivers are insured under the Road Traffic Acts; and (b) introducing a law similar to the Canadian system under which uninsured cars when detected are impounded until insurance is obtained.

19.

asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes introducing windscreen discs for motor vehicles which will give relevant details of the insurance cover attached to the vehicle.

20.

asked the Minister for the Environment the progress made regarding the display of an insurance disc the same as a tax disc providing ease of detection for the appropriate authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

21.

asked the Minister for the Environment if it is envisaged to introduce a disc system for motor insurance in order to reduce the number of vehicles being driven without insurance; and the other proposals he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive, together.

Arrangements for the introduction of a mandatory requirement to display a windscreen disc as evidence of motor insurance are at an advanced stage. I intend to make an announcement in the matter shortly.

As regards the question of other proposals raised by Deputy Cosgrave and the specific suggestion raised by Deputy Wallace, the maximum fines for uninsured driving were increased substantially in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1984. I intend to keep the matter under review and, if necessary, I will consider further measures. In the meantime, I have no proposals for the introduction of a system for impounding uninsured vehicles or any other specific enforcement proposals at this stage.

Would the Minister be more specific as to when he will be in a position to introduce the disc to be displayed? Would he also elaborate on why he will not consider the second part of my question about the impounding of uninsured vehicles which are being used and which are on the increase and the danger to the general public because more and more uninsured vehicles are on the roads——

A question, Deputy.

The whole purpose of the question is prevention, and if vehicles were impounded it would deter——

The Deputy may ask a supplementary question but he cannot elaborate on it in a speech.

Can the Minister elaborate on both of these points?

In relation to the first supplementary question, I hope to announce details of the system before the end of this year. In regard to the second part of the question and the second supplementary question, as I said, the penalties for uninsured driving were increased substantially in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1984. The former maximum fine of £100, which was specified in 1961, has been increased to £1,000. The Road Traffic Acts also provide for imprisonment for a term of up to six months and disqualification from driving for at least one year for a second or subsequent offence in any period of three years. Since this change has been made only very lately, we should allow the system to operate and permit the Garda to carry out the enforcement of these provisions before I would suggest any further more stringent moves as suggested by the Deputy.

Is the Minister indicating that the disc system will be introduced and operating in the New Year, as is hoped? Will the statement he expects to make before Christmas include an indication of the mandatory operation of the system?

I said that I expected to be in a position to make regulations and announce details of the system before the end of the year. Naturally, subsequent to that, I hope that we will be able to bring forward the proposals I should wish.