Richard Bruton, TD

At the outset, I believe that it is important to note that the Fixed Charge Notice and penalty points system has operated extremely well since its introduction in 2002, and has enjoyed wide public support. This is evidenced by the fact that over 70% of those who receive a fixed charge notice pay it within 28 days. The system plays a very important role in enhancing road safety, but it is essential that the system is applied equally and without favour to all road users, and that it is seen to be so.

I wish to pay tribute to the Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, on his retirement from An Garda Síochána.

Fine Gael Wexford TD, Liam Twomey, has today (Thursday) urged anyone who is eligible to vote, but who has not yet registered, to ensure they are added to the supplementary register.

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if separate Garda National Immigration Bureau arrangements could be made for employed tax-paying persons, many of whom are here as the result of Industrial Development Agency incentives and who currently are often forced to take several days from work to queue for renewal in view of limited number of renewals dispensed each day; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a policy on social affordability measures for vulnerable customers of the new Water Authority have been developed; when they will be available for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when it is anticipated that the Private Security Authority will announce a time frame for the licensing of CCTV monitoring centres and the introduction of the new standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Could I start by again paying tribute to Martin Callinan on his retirement as Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.

I want to begin by addressing a matter of substantial importance. On October 1st 2013 in a topical issue debate on the penalty points issue I made a statement that the whistleblowers did not cooperate with the garda investigations that took place in respect of their allegations.

Speaking at the launch of Organ Donation Awareness Week in Cork yesterday evening (Monday), Fine Gael Cork South Central TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer, said that changing to an opt-out system could vastly increase the level of organ donation here.