Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013
181. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the serious implications for road safety, if he will outline the steps he has taken to deal with the allegations of widespread cancellation of fixed charge notices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23303/13]
View answer182. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the conduct of the investigation into the cancellation of fixed charge penalty notices in view of the serious implications for road safety. [22664/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
As the Deputies are aware, the Garda Commissioner appointed Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney, in October 2012, to conduct the examination of the allegations that fixed charge notices were improperly cancelled. The report by Assistant Commissioner O'Mahoney constitutes a detailed examination of the allegations. It concluded that there was no evidence to suggest criminality or corruption, but did identify certain departures from administration procedures. Arising from this, files in respect of three members of the Garda Síochána have been forwarded to the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Internal Affairs in the Garda Síochána for further investigation under the Disciplinary Regulations.
In addition, the O'Mahoney report, and a related report by the Garda Professional Standards Unit, have recommended a number of changes aimed at ensuring that administrative procedures are correctly followed throughout the Force in relation to the cancellation of fixed charge notices. I have asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to consider these changes prior to implementation, to make any necessary supplementary recommendations, and to review their implementation after 18 months. I have also referred both reports to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, and I look forward to the views of the Committee, in particular on whether any additional procedural or legislative changes are desirable.
