Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

In the first six months of last year 88,000 people did not pay their fine within 56 days. Each one of those cases proceeded through the District Court. Probably about 160,000 cases came before the District Courts in the past 12 months. This means that they cannot cope and the entire system is breaking down. Up to 500,000 notices could be issued per annum following the introduction of speed cameras. Unless the Minister changes the system, the courts system simply will not work. The most significant problem is caused by the cohorts who do not pay their fines and decide to go to court. Of these, about 125,000 do not have a driving licence and about 10,000 do not have insurance. About 3,000 or 4,000 are caught driving with a mobile phone in their hand. A significant cohort is are escaping. If one does not pay one's fine, a summons will not be served. In the order of 40,000 court summonses were not delivered in the first six months of last year. The process needs urgent and radical reform; otherwise, the court system will grind to a halt and those who deserve it most will get away with everything.

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