Dysfunction in Garda and Shatter’s department

Anything other than a clear acknowledgement by the heads of law and order this week that the penalty points system was dysfunctional or in a mess would have been worrying.

But Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan were nearly dragged kicking and screaming into finally admitting the fines system needs fixing and has for some time. This was 15 months after Independent TDs used the Dáil to raise concerns about gardaí wiping penalty points from divers licences.

Both Mr Shatter and Mr Callinan were also forced to recognise the role of garda whistleblowers — who first raised concerns — after the publication of a damning Garda Inspectorate report into the fixed charge processing system.