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Proposed Legislation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Questions (316, 317)

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

316 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to publish a Bill on the attachment of earnings orders; if such a measure would be effective in reducing the costs to the State of imprisonment; the number of persons likely to be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21212/04]

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Written answers

The Government's legislation programme contains a commitment to bring forward an enforcement of fines Bill to provide for new ways to enforce fines and, in particular, to end as far as practicable imprisonment for non-payment of fines. In that context I am undertaking a comprehensive review of the system of fines enforcement, with a view to bringing forward such legislative proposals in due course. Until I have firm proposals I cannot comment on the specific queries posed in the question. I would add that I intend to bring forward a fines Bill which, while primarily intended to update existing fines and provide a mechanism for indexation, will also include provisions for the payment of fines by instalment.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

317 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals he has to update legislative fines; the way in which such a mechanism would work; when he proposes to publish a Bill on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/04]

View answer

I am at present preparing the general scheme of a fines Bill which will include a scheme for the indexation of fines. The primary purpose of the scheme will be to establish a standard scale of fines that can be imposed for summary offences, to update existing fines and to provide a mechanism for future updating of fines in line with inflation. The Bill will also provide for the payment of fines by instalment. I expect to be in a position to seek Government approval to draft the Bill in the autumn and to publish the Bill early next year.

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