asked the Minister for Justice whether a citizen can be arrested and imprisoned for debt.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imprisonment for Debt.
98.
The enforcement of Court Orders Acts, 1926 and 1940, provide machinery for the enforcement of judgments and decrees for debt. Upon the application of the creditor a Justice of the District Court is empowered by these Acts to order the arrest and imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months of a debtor who has failed to meet the previous order of that Court in regard to the payment of the debt and costs by instalments. It is expressly provided, however, that the Justice shall not exercise this power if the debtor appears at the hearing and shows, to the satisfaction of the Justice, that his failure to pay was due neither to his wilful refusal nor to his culpable neglect.
Is the Minister further aware that the Revenue Commissioners have the power to lock one up indefinitely if one does not pay the taxes due to them?
I have no responsibility whatever in relation to the Revenue Commissioners except to pay my taxes to them.