Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think this is something people are not aware of. I raised this question with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. I asked about the number of prosecutions under the fixed charge notice system. Our data table does not correspond with the table provided by the Garda Síochána at all. I want to clarify that we are referring to the same legislation.

With effect from 27 October 2011, certain offences contrary to sections 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, including driving or attempting to drive or being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, may be dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice in lieu of the commencement of criminal proceedings for persons deemed suitable by the regulations. I have to hand a data table showing the number of fixed penalty notices issued to persons arrested having been recorded as having in excess of 50 mg but less than 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood for the period 2011 to date. In 2011, when these laws were commenced, seven people were prosecuted. In 2012, a total of 111 people were prosecuted. In 2013, a total of 68 people were prosecuted. In 2014, a total of 47 people were prosecuted. In 2015, a total of 62 people were prosecuted. In 2016, a total of 69 people were prosecuted. In 2017, only one person had been prosecuted up to two weeks ago. I asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality about it. The Minister, Deputy Ross, indicated that people were not showing respect for this legislation. I asked the Tánaiste to set out the number of repeat offenders but she could not come back to me with an answer.

She said she would come back to me, but she has not. That is the argument we had the last day at this committee. Where are the figures being verified?