3 August 2002: The long-delayed penalty points system will be introduced in October, with the first targets for the penalties being persistent speeders. Other infringements to be targeted later include driving a dangerous vehicle, careless driving, and using a mobile phone while the vehicle is in motion (including being stopped in traffic).

The implementation on a phased basis of penalty points - a collection of 12 over three years can mean losing a driving licence - was announced yesterday by trasport minister Seamus Brennan TD.

There are currently 345,000 speeding fines issued each year in the Republic, at 60 euros a pop. Many are understood to be repeat offenders.