Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem with that response is that the denial was not about checkpoints but that this was a major contributory factor to the elevation of breath tests. That was not dealt with in the original internal report. The statement that lessons have been learned is somewhat undermined by Assistant Commissioner O'Sullivan's point that the problem was caused by a lack of supervision, a lack of sergeants and so on. The Crowe Horwath report specifically makes the point that the problem was not linked to a reduction in the number of sergeants and that, in fact, some divisions with fewer sergeants performed significantly better than other divisions with more sergeants. That is another contradiction. The witnesses will see the problem members have with these meetings.

As to the point of explaining to members the system for nullifying checkpoints, we know that as we discussed that precise scenario at our pervious meeting. It was in that context that we asked how the Garda could be sure all of the scheduled checkpoints that should have been cancelled were cancelled. We were basically told it was not possible for gardaí to claim they were out on checkpoints when they were not. The meeting then discussed technology, automated cars and that while this practice may have happened in the past, there was no way it would happen now. However, it was happening.