Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am in complete unison with the comments of Senator Denis O'Donovan. The State needs to act on the outcome of this case and must ensure we will no longer be embarrassed by the way the woman in question was taken through the courts. Much of the time the European Union is criticised, but every now and then it does a good job, certainly in the area of human rights.

I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality for the action he has taken in the past couple of days to refer the issue of penalty points to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. That is the appropriate forum in which to deal with the issue and the Minister was wise to refer it to it. I appeal to everybody involved to keep a cool head and allow the process to continue. I have no doubt An Garda Síochána will co-operate fully and speedily with the ombudsman when his office carries out its investigation. We should all now refrain from comment and discussion and allow the ombudsman do the important work the Minister has tasked him to do.