Extracts from the statement from Senior Garda Management:

The significant and grave issues relating to An Garda Síochána operation of breath testing and Fixed Charge Notices have brought shame on our proud organisation.

The result of all this has been significant loss of trust by the public, which as the national policing and security services, we cannot afford.

Every single member of the organisation, including supervisors and managers, must recognise that their individual actions in all areas of policing reflect on the organisation as a whole and impact on the trust between ourselves and the communities we serves. An Garda Síochána is at a crossroads. We have a proud history built on great work in protecting and supporting communities down through the generations including this one. If we continue as before then that trust will be eroded. We must change and we will. The Code of Ethics must be at the centre of everything we do. We must all ensure that crime and related information are recorded correctly. We must improve how we treat victims of crime.

Preventing crime must be our Number One policing priority. We must change our culture. ÷Making these changes is not the responsibility of one area or unit. It is the responsibility of all of us – Garda members, staff and Garda Reserves. We know you are hungry for this change. ÷In doing this it must be ensured that what is good about An Garda Síochána is nurtured and what is wrong is eradicated. ÷Every one of us has a duty to inform the organisation if we come across poor practice or have concerns about how we operate. Please bring this to light and rest assured it will be thoroughly examined.