Shatter to give Garda report on penalty points to Cabinet

The Taoiseach has said the Minister for Justice will bring a report on the Garda administration of penalty points before the Cabinet this afternoon.

Enda Kenny told the Dáil today that Alan Shatter's report would contain a lengthy series of recommendations which the Minister would present to the Cabinet.

“Some of these will require, I understand, some legislation and so on,’’ he added.

Mr Kenny said allegations were made in 2012 by a whistleblower in respect of the processing of penalty points.

“This matter was the subject of very lengthy discussions in this House and at committee already,’’ he added.

The Taoiseach was responding to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said elements of the Garda report were leaked to RTÉ and Mr Shatter, he added, had pointed out reforms which might emanate from it.

“I think it was wrong in context of the gravity of the report and the impact of the report,’’ he added.

The report, said Mr Martin, had indicated major administrative dysfunction and the failure of management oversight. "In essence, it would appear that the report is a vindication of the whistleblowers who brought these issues to the surface,'' Mr Martin said.

The whistleblowers were isolated and undermined and barred from access to the Pulse system and, in essence, were told their behaviour was disgusting by the Garda Commissioner, he added.