Gardaí or other public officials who manipulate the penalty points system improperly “will be dealt with”, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has warned.
Responding to questions of ongoing problems with the system, Ms Fitzgerald said she was determined wrongdoers will be punished.
“There will be transparency and there will be accountability and if anybody is seen not to be behaving in the appropriate way, following the law, they will be dealt with,” she said.
Ms Fitzgerald said she expects a report detailing the results of examinations carried out by Garda Internal Audit and Garda Professional Standards units “in the very near future”.
The examinations were announced by the Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan following disclosures by whistleblowers, in relation to the cancellation of penalty points.
The examinations had “particular regard to the new procedures which came into effect on June 16th, 2014”, Ms Fitzgerald said.
Concerns about the operation of the system centre on allegations from whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe that penalty points are still being wiped by gardaí. The chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee John McGuinness has also expressed concern and called for the allegations to be addressed “urgently”.
Confidence
Speaking to media at the announcement of a site for the new family law courts in Dublin, Ms Fitzgerald said it is “really important” there is confidence in the penalty points system. “Everything we are doing is working towards greater confidence.”
She said a new report on the operation of the system was due from the Garda Commissioner “very shortly”. The Minister said she intended to publish it “so that we learn any lessons that have come to attention since the new system was put in place”.
Ms Fitzgerald said ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the system would be necessary. “ I and the Garda Commissioner want to ensure the very best standards apply in relation to the management of penalty points issue.”
