Mr. Martin Callinan:

Okay. Thank you. A variety of changes have taken place since 2000. I have a list of them here. The change from the on-the-spot fines system to the fixed-charge penalty process took place in 2002. Various speeding charges that needed to be implemented were designated in primary legislation in the Road Traffic Act of October 2002. Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 was introduced in an effort to address the issue of company-registered vehicles. This legislation was found to be inoperable in practice, however. That is a particular difficulty even today. In 2006, the transition to the fixed-charge notice system was completed with the introduction of automated payments. This greatly enhanced the payments system. New management structures were introduced in 2007 when the fixed-charge penalty office was decentralised to Thurles. The introduction in 2008 of robotic vans with digital camera technology and safety cameras represented a move from the use of video, which used a wet film, to the use of digital technology, which provides for a more enhanced system of capturing the offender. All of those things were introduced.

The most significant element of the audit system that is now in place is the fact that it has three tiers. First, we have our own internal audit unit, which randomly chooses a number of districts and divisions and looks at the systems and processes in place. Second, the professional standards unit, which is an independent statutory unit that I am obliged to have in place to examine how the gardaí do their business, comes in and looks at the decision-making process. Third, the assistant commissioner in charge of the traffic unit, who is present at today's meeting, comes in and looks at conflicting interests that may exist. That is of relevance to the Deputy's last point about cases involving a close family member or a person of notoriety. The assistant commissioner examines those issues in the various districts and divisions. He ascertains whether there was a conflict and, if so, what was done about it. He demands to see the paperwork in all such cases. They are the fixes we have put in place now to try to address all of these concerns. A great deal has been happening incrementally since 2000.