Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2014
255. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of recommendation 4.4 contained in the Garda Inspectorate report entitled The Fixed Charge Processing System: A 21st Century Strategy regarding the need to commence section 44 to put the third payment option in place, the timeline for the introduction of this option. [15586/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 44 of the Road Traffic act 2010 deals with the payment of a fixed charge on service of a summons to court, known as the "3rd payment option". This section has not yet been commenced because the administrative structure for dealing with the option is not yet in place. The Courts Service and An Garda Síochána have been in discussion regarding the matter and I understand that a number of administrative and technical matters will need to be addressed and a suitable IT solution put in place so that this option can be implemented. I understand that, following the deliberations of the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System) Working Group, the recommendation will be implemented over the next year or so. I look forward to this "3rd payment option" coming into effect during 2015 as its non-implementation has meant that I cannot commence a number of other sections in the 2010 Act as the provisions contained are interrelated.
