The Justice Minister has asked the Garda Ombudsman Commission to investigate claims some officers have been quashing penalty points.
A serving sergeant and a former officer raised concerns that politicians, celebrities and sports stars were among those being let off.
The Ombudsman says it will be launching what will be a very wide-ranging investigation.
In a statement this evening Alan Shatter says he believes the time is now right to do so in order to put to bed this issue once and for all and allay public concerns.
The Garda Commissioner says he has concerns about so-called whistleblowers speaking about the allegations to the Public Accounts Committee.
