Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The problems relating to the enforcement of warrants are longstanding, as the Deputy would recognise. Records demonstrate that the number of warrants outstanding in May 2008, for example, when the Deputy's party was in government, was 117,756, or higher than now. That does not mean I accept the current position or that it should be allowed to stand. There is no question that action is required and the problem must be addressed once and for all. The analysis in the inspectorate report is a clear way forward.

I expect Garda management to note and implement the recommendations.

The new fines legislation will make a difference in this area and I have already referred to this fact as it will provide a pathway to reduce the outstanding number. I do not mean to minimise the situation but the vast majority of warrants do not relate to violent and serious offences - most are due to the non-payment of fines relating to road traffic offences and other offences. More than 90% of all penal warrants relate to these categories of offences though I do not find the situation acceptable and know it must be dealt with.

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