The Garda Commissioner has said there is not a culture within An Garda Síochána of non-enforcement of road traffic penalties.
Martin Callinan said the commitment of the gardaí to the effective enforcement of Road Traffic Legislation was absolute.
Garda Assistant Commissioner John O' Mahoney is currently investigating allegations that senior gardaí cancelled penalty points for a number of people, including prominent public figures.
In his first public comment on the controversy, which has been raised in the Dáil, Mr Callinan said this investigation will be comprehensive and rigorous and any issues that arise will be pursued fully.
Mr Callinan also emphasised that the allegations appear to be based solely on an examination of PULSE records.
He said that they are being made without clarity as to how the person making the allegations would have complete knowledge as to the circumstances of the penalty points being cancelled.
A Garda Superintendent or an inspector acting on their behalf has the authority, under garda regulations, to cancel penalty points for humanitarian reasons or where there is an error on the notice.
Mr Callinan said it is unfair to those officers and the people who were the subject of the notices to assert wrongdoing in the absence of the full facts.
Meanwhile, Independent TD Clare Daly has called for an independent inquiry into allegations that gardaí have cancelled tens of thousands of penalty points.
She said it was not satisfactory for the gardaí to investigate themselves.
Ms Daly said the Garda Commissioner had known about the issue since January and had only begun an investigation recently.
Asked for a response about this claim of inaction, the Garda Press Office referred back to the Commissioner's statement.
