Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Comptroller and Auditor General's report revealed that half of summonses were not served and one in five motorists facing fixed-charged notices were getting off. It was much clearer than the previous report carried out by An Garda Síochána, and that is why we must have an independent examination of the issue. Just as important, there are ongoing reports in the media about judges, a State solicitor and senior journalists who allegedly had penalty points terminated. I am not aware of any court cases being taken by the people who have been accused of this, so until court cases are taken I can only assume the reports are correct.

For public confidence to be restored to the system, people must see that the same rule applies to everybody no matter who they are. The vast majority of gardaí in Garda districts enforce the law properly, as was made clear in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, but some, unfortunately, do not. In some areas, people of influence were able to get points terminated, which is unacceptable. It is not acceptable to the Minister, to me or to anybody else. Could we have an independent examination that could clear up the issue once and for all so that we can start afresh?

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