Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 March 2014
144. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available to a person that has been issued with a court fine to pay the sum due in stage payments as affordability is not in place to discharge the amount in one lump sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/14]
View answerSince the commencement of section 14 of the Fines Act 2010, a court is obliged to take into account the means of the person before imposing a fine. There is currently no legislative provision to allow a person to pay a court fine by instalment. However, the Fines (Payment and Recovery Bill) 2013 represents a major reform of our fine payment and recovery system and provides for the payment of fines by instalment. The Bill is currently before the Seanad, having completed its passage through the Dáil. Assuming that the Bill is enacted before the Summer, I expect that it should be possible to commence its provisions in the Autumn.
