Ms Fíona Ní Chinnéide:

Where a number of convictions relate to a single incident, that is treated as a single conviction, but it is still limited to just one conviction and one incident beyond the minor public order or road traffic offences and that is very problematic if public safety is at the centre of the concern here. Two separate convictions for shoplifting can be on one's record for life and neither may become spent yet multiple motoring offences, which arguably put the public at greater immediate and direct danger, can be spent without limit. There is certainly a disproportionate approach taken in particular to property offences and so-called offences of dishonesty.