The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has criticised the plan by the Minister for Transport to introduce a penalty points system for speeding drivers at the end of the month.
AGSI president Mr Joe Dirwan said the system is "unworkable", involves a "vast paper trail" and will "tie up" gardaí who should be tackling public order offences and dangerous driving.
Mr Dirwan called on the Government not to proceed with the scheme, which he said he was "ill-thought out and unworkable". He said the system should be put on hold until a properly resourced computerised system is in place.
The system, to be introduced on October 31st, will be operated by gardaí on a manual basis and will see two points applied to anyone caught committing lesser offences such as driving in a bus lane or failing to wear seat belts. Drivers amassing 12 points will be disqualified for six months.
A scale of three, four and five points will be applied to more serious offences such as dangerous driving and failure to insure a vehicle and will automatically be referred to a court.
The Department of Transport says it hopes to add a further 31 offences to the system and expects a computerised system - which is being developed by the Department of Justice - to be ready late next year.
The AGSI also criticised the National Vehicle Register, which it says is six months out of date. The AGSI claims gardaí lack confidence in the system and cannot tell what drivers have penalty points on their licences.
