The Garda Inspectorate has this evening vindicated the information given by whistleblower Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe about the penalty points system.

A report from the inspectorate says there were consistent and widespread breaches of the system.

The Cabinet's approved 37 recommendations to be implemented in full, starting immediately and to be fully done within 18 months.

Among them is removing the discretion from Gardai, with centralisation of cancellation at the fixed charge system in Tipperary.

Both the Justice Minister Alan Shatter and the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan have welcomed the report.

Minister Shatter says he's compiling an action plan to implement the 37 recommendations made in the report.

Meanwhile Commissioner Martin Callinan says the Gardaí are committed to ensuring that the fixed charge system is efficient and effective.