A potential loophole in the penalty points system may be bigger than first indicated.

It has been confirmed that emergency legislation may be needed next week, to close the loophole which has emerged in recent days.

It is believed the potential loophole may be contained in traffic legislation which were passed by the Dáil in January, and related to the increased points for offences like using a phone while driving and speeding.

The Attorney General is to provide legal advice on the problem to the Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe, this morning.

The minister is refusing to reveal what specific offences are covered by the loophole:

This problem is believed to have caused alarm in the Department of Transport - with fears that thousands of penalty points issued in recent months could be compromised.