Catherine Murphy
Question:
836. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her officials or any other competent body audits information provided by An Garda Síochána to the Road Safety Authority to ensure that the data is accurate (details supplied). [36296/23]
View answer
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 836 of 25 July 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice if her officials or any other competent body audits information provided by An Garda Síochána to the Road Safety Authority to ensure that the data is accurate.”
As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities, and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that data in relation to road traffic collisions is the only data supplied to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) by An Garda Síochána. I understand this data is extracted from the Garda PULSE system and is provided to the RSA on a nightly basis. I also understand that this data includes collision details, road details, vehicle details, person details and any Garda opinion as to the cause of the collision.
I am informed that data held and provided to partner organisations is collected in line with the Garda Data Quality Framework, which involves both automated and manual reviews of data quality. An Garda Síochána has published data quality statistics on its website since 2022 and the scope and content of these is regularly assessed.
An Garda Síochána is currently developing a new framework for data sharing with the RSA. The Department of the Transport have also advised that they will shortly be issuing a Ministerial Directive under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, which will provide a legal framework for data sharing between An Garda Síochána and the RSA. I understand that once this Directive is issued, a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the scope, frequency and protection of data sharing between the RSA and An Garda Síochána will be put in place.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána is engaging with other relevant bodies on their requirements for roads policing data. I understand that this structured and secure sharing of information is part of the overall goal of establishing a policing data ecosystem in line with the Garda Data and Technology Vision.
I am also advised that An Garda Síochána does not provide data on penalty points convictions to the RSA. This data is provided by the Courts Service. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
