Shatter rules out independent inquiry into cancellation of penalty points.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Padraig Mac Lochlainn called for an independent inquiry into the management of the fixed-charge notice and penalty points system.

He said the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report had revealed that half of summonses were not served and one in five motorists facing fixed-charge notices was getting off. It had been much clearer than the previous report carried out by the Garda.

“Just as important there are ongoing reports in the media about judges, a State solicitor and senior journalists who allegedly had penalty points terminated,’’ said Mr Mac Lochlainn. “I am not aware of any court cases being taken by the people who have been accused of this, so until court cases are taken I can only assume the reports are correct.’’

Tighten procedures
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said that at this stage there had been an examination, as published in the O'Mahoney report, another Garda report and now the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. "There is a need to significantly tighten procedures for cancellation and that should result fromthe instructions given on August 30th by the Garda Commissioner,'' he added.

Mr Shatter suggested that Mr Mac Lochlainn raise the issue with the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

“In 50 per cent of the notices cancelled, there were incontrovertibly valid reasons for their cancellation, such as cases in which a person received a notice and it turned out that the registration number of the car in question was not the same as that of the person’s car,’’ he added.