Varadkar: Files should have Dáil privilege

A “box of evidence” from a Garda whistleblower alleging abuse of the penalty point system should be covered by parliamentary privilege, according to Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

This legal immunity would allow the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to examine the contents of the box, despite Martin Callinan, the Garda commissioner, demanding it be handed over to him.

The committee is currently seeking legal advice on whether it can examine the documents which it is claimed expose millions of euro lost to the State by a failure properly to implement the system.