Minister urged to hurry on 'points system'

The Labour Party has called on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to ensure the speedy introduction of the computer system necessary to run the planned 'penalty points' system.

According to reports today, the much-lauded scheme is facing further delays because the computer system will not be ready for another 12 months.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has said the system will be operated manually from October, but Labour spokesperson Joan Burton said this would be unworkable.

"The operation of such a manual system would be almost impossible and, in fact, it would become another Irish joke of a law which was simply not enforceable," she said.

"I’m calling on not just the minister, Seamus Brennan, to explain how this has happened, but also for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to get involved and actually get this sorted out."