Dempsey criticised over new penalty points roll-out

The Transport Minister is under fire for failing to provide enough time for motorists to have their vehicles tested before the roll out of new penalty points.

SGS, which operates NCT centres, says its website crashed repeatedly in response to an unprecedented level of inquiries since the announcement last month.

Since yesterday, drivers will get penalty points for driving vehicles without a certificate of roadworthiness.

Fine Gael's Transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said the panic could have been avoided.