Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out her views on the operation of the penalty points system; if she is considering a review of the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35373/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Inspectorate Report, entitled The Fixed Charge Processing System: A 21st Century Strategywas published on 12 March, 2014 and represented a major review of the operation of the fixed charge processing system including with respect to the enforcement of penalty point offences. The recommendations from that review are currently being taken forward by the relevant agencies.

In particular, the Report contained 37 recommendations and identified those that could be implemented in the short, medium and long term. In line with the Inspectorate's first recommendation the Criminal Justice (FCPS) Working Group was established in March to take forward those recommendations.The Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Road Safety Authority, Revenue Commissioners, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government participate in the work of the Group. Other agencies may be invited to participate as considered necessary by the Group.

I along with my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, received the Group's first progress report in July. The report sets out substantial progress with respect to the implementation of the Inspectorate's immediate and short term recommendations directed to An Garda Síochána including the introduction of a new Fixed Charge Processing System Manual which came into effect in June. The report also details the work commenced, mainly via a number of specialised subgroups, to consider and advance the Inspectorate's medium and long term recommendations.The detailed report is currently under consideration by myself and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and it is expected it will be brought to Government, for information, in the near future.

I should add that the Government agreed to the recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate that it should review the operation of the system within 12 months of its report. In addition, any issues identified in relation to the operation of the revised system are being fully addressed as the arise.