Emergency laws will be introduced next week to close a loophole that has emerged concerning penalty points.

The Department of Transport will have to table the new laws next week to deal with a flaw in a law that was introduced earlier this year.

The loophole, which emerged earlier this week, could have potentially seen thousands of motoring offences wiped off the records.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has not yet revealed what offences are involved but will issue a statement on the matter tomorrow.

Minister Donohoe said the emergency legislation is being drafted to ensure "no interruption to the enforcement of road traffic offences" under the penalty points system.