Progress was made this morning towards implementing the new penalty points system for dangerous drivers, following a meeting between the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, and senior Gardaí, according to the Minister.
The meeting took place to try to resolve ongoing difficulties with plans to implement the system. The main stumbling block has been the installation of a proposed new computer system to operate the scheme.
Following today’s meeting, it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will meet with the company contracted to provide the computer system to discuss issues raised this morning. Following this, another meeting will take place between Mr Brennan and senior Gardaí.
The news has been welcomed by the AA. Its spokesman, Mr Conor Faughnan, said that he was "delighted" to see that the Minister was taking such an interest in the issue. However, he expressed reservations about the September deadline for implementation, describing it as "aspirational".
"The penalty points system has been delayed very frustratingly for the past few years," he said, referring to the fact that it was originally planned for 1998.
However, he congratulated Mr Brennan on his effort to resolve the difficulties that have delayed implementation of the system.
"The Minister’s committment is absolutely correct and is to be welcomed," he said.