Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator Quinn's point on the harmonisation of the penalty points system, especially between North and South. The most immediate problem facing us is that the penalty points system here does not apply to drivers in Northern Ireland and vice versa. The Minister of State will be aware as I am, coming from a Border area, that Northern registered vehicles have no regard for the laws of the State or the Rules of the Road. The sooner the systems North and South are harmonised, the better.

I understand the current position is that if somebody incurs two penalty points he or she is notified by letter, accompanied by a photograph of the individual committing the offence, but the letter is not registered; it is sent by ordinary post. Those letters should be registered because in some cases the first the person has heard about having incurred two penalty points is when the garda arrives at the door with a summons to appear in court. Such people then automatically incur four penalty points when the case goes to the District Court. They did not receive the letter in the post but they had no way of proving that. The Garda, on the other hand, had no way of proving the letter was sent. Hundreds of cases are being dismissed in the District Court for that reason. It would be worthwhile examining that issue.