165. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the mandatory driver-number validation rules implemented under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 for the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) have created a technical lockout, preventing Irish policyholders from adding visiting family members holding valid non-EU International Driving Permits to their private motor policies; if his Department will establish a digital validation or manual exemption protocol within the NDLS/IMID framework for legally recognized non-EU tourist permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67223/26]

As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I can confirm that, under section 78A of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) is responsible for maintaining the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID). The data contained in the IMID is provided by motor insurers, brokers, fleet owners and motor traders. It includes policyholder details, vehicle registration numbers and the names of drivers who are authorised to drive vehicles covered by a policy.

Section 78A(2)(f)(ii)(III) of the Act provides that, in the case of drivers who hold a foreign driving licence, the relevant driver identifier may be recorded using the driver number, licence number or another unique identifier, as appropriate.

My Department has not been made aware of any technical issues arising from the operation of these legislative requirements. However, the matter has been raised with MIBI and I await its response.