Commenting on the publication of the PAC Report on the Fixed Charge Penalty System, Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan said:
An Garda Síochána is fully committed to improving the effectiveness and transparency of the penalty points system.
Following reports by the C&AG and Garda Inspectorate into the penalty points system, An Garda Síochána introduced major changes in June 2014 to strengthen governance and oversight of the system.
An Garda Síochána welcomes the report of the Public Accounts Committee as it will assist us in the on-going work to further improve the penalty points system.
On receiving the report, An Garda Síochána will immediately review the recommendations and examine how best they can be implemented as part of the on-going changes to the penalty points system.
These changes are currently being examined by the Criminal Justice Working Group, which is co-chaired by the Departments of Justice and Transport. The Criminal Justice Working Group is looking at how medium and long term recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate on changes to the penalty points system can be implemented across the justice system.
An Garda Siochana welcomes the fact that the implementation of the Garda Inspectorate recommendations will be subject to a full examination by the Garda Inspectorate within 12 months.
As with all the stakeholders involved in the on-going development of the Fixed Charge Penalty System, An Garda Síochána's primary focus is in ensuring that the penalty points system continues its success in improving road safety and reducing road deaths.
