Confusion over start date for computerised penalty points

There was confusion last night about the introduction of computerised penalty points for drivers. The Department of Justice and the Garda appeared to differ on a date for introducing the system.

The Garda Press Office said that although the project was "planned to pilot in early 2004", because of "delays in the project" a replanning exercise is underway. It added that the measure was complex, involving a new computer system, a new processing office and outsourcing of the payment and printing systems.

However, a spokeswoman for the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said yesterday that the computerised system was "to go ahead as contracted. That is it will be completed by the first quarter of 2004 and will be operational by the second quarter".

Earlier this year the firm building the computer system said the project would be completed by next January. Fujitsu consulting, which was awarded the €7.4 million contract, said no details could be released because of a non-disclosure agreement with the Garda authorities.

However, The Irish Times has been told the system has been delayed because the €45 million Garda Pulse computer is older and not entirely compatible with computers used by the Courts Service.The Garda Pulse system was supposed to cost €30 million, but has cost € 45 million to date.