asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons committed to prison for non-payment of debts in each of the past five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imprisonment of Debtors.
59.
In case there is any misunderstanding, I think I should make it clear that no one is imprisoned merely because he is unable to pay his debts. Committal orders are granted only where a court has made an examination of the debtor's means and has found, in effect, that the debtor has culpably failed to pay though able to do so.
Subject to that explanation, the figures requested by the Deputy are:
|
1963 |
125 |
|
1964 |
144 |
|
1965 |
182 |
|
1966 |
168 |
|
1967 |
122 |
What the Minister says is incorrect. I know of a case where a man who was not able to pay was committed to prison.
The Deputy has a question to put, I take it.