(Cavan) asked the Minister for Justice the number and value of fines which were unpaid and treated as not recoverable in the last financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unpaid Fines.
35.
The information requested could not be compiled without a detailed examination of court records throughout the country. This would involve a substantial amount of staff time, and, unless the Deputy is particularly anxious to obtain this information, I would be reluctant to divert staff from their normal duties for the purpose.
I may say that generally the reason why fines are not paid is that the defendant has left the jurisdiction or cannot be traced. As warrants can be reissued if the defendant re-enters the jurisdiction or is subsequently traced, it cannot be said that unpaid fines are in all cases not recoverable.