Labour calls for establishment of garda traffic corps

The Labour Party has called for the establishment of a dedicated garda traffic corps following the latest expansion of the penalty points scheme.

Party spokesman Joe Costello welcomed the move, but he said it was placing additional pressure on the already over-stretched gardaí.

He said more traffic police were needed to ensure that the enforcement of the penalty points scheme did not use up resources needed to tackle other crimes.

"The penalty points system is welcome, but it does put an extra burden on the resources and on the garda personnel because there's more work to be done, there's more demand for the police and there's more activities to be processed," he said.