Penalty point report due before Cabinet

Recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate report into the penalty point controversy due before Cabinet tomorrow will ensure a "transparent system fit for the 21st century which will stand up to scrutiny," Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said tonight.

Mr Shatter made his comments in a statement following the leak of some sections of the report. Fianna Fáil issued a statement of its own condemning "selective leaking" but welcoming the apparent vindication of Garda whistleblowers in the report.

Tonight's development comes weeks after a draft report of the inspectorate's findings was sent to Mr Shatter and to Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

In tonight's statement, Mr Shatter said: "The inspectorate, in its recommendations, provides a roadmap to address the difficulties which have arisen and to ensure that An Garda Síochána will have a system which is transparent, fit for the 21st century, and which will stand up to scrutiny."

The statement follows a leak of some sections of the review into the operation of the fixed charge processing system.

The leak prompted Fianna Fáil spokesman on justice Niall Collins to issue a statement of his own in which he described the "selective leaking" as a "retrograde step".

Mr Collins said the report could lead to renewed calls for an apology to Garda whistleblower Sgt McCabe, commenting: “It would appear from the initial reports that the whistleblowers at the centre of recent controversies have been vindicated. That is to be welcomed.”

However, Mr Collins was critical of the leak.

“It is obviously not uncommon for Government or others to leak important reports to the media, but given the scale of the controversy surrounding this particular issue and related matters over recent months, I believe that tonight’s selective leaking of the Garda Inspectorate Report is a retrograde step.

“Once again, on an important issue of public order, Alan Shatter and the Government’s first priority is news management and trying to maintain control of headlines. I look forward to publication of the full report tomorrow when I hope to give a comprehensive response.”