FIXED charge penalty notices can now be paid up to seven days before a court appearance after the new Courts Act 2017 was enacted this month.
Previously, motorists who were issued with a penalty notice had two options to pay the fine; within 28 days of the notice issue or within a second period of 28 days plus 50 per cent of the original fine.
Non-payment would then lead to the automatic issue of a court summons.
Under the new legislation, motorists issued with penalty notices can now pay the fine, plus 100 per cent up to seven days before their court appearance even after the summons has issued.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that the third payment option was the culmination of a number of years work and ongoing, close engagement between the Department of Justice, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service.
“If a person takes up the third payment option, proceedings will be discontinued and they will not have to attend court.This should lead to an increase in payment rates and reduction in the volume of road traffic offence cases proceeding to court,” she explained.
