Vol. 398 No. 4
114 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, in light of the large amount of money due to the Exchequer in unpaid court fines, if he accepts that the enforcement procedure available to the courts is unsatisfactory; if a more efficient administrative machinery with ways of ensuring equity in the levying and collection of fines, will make fines a better option; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Procedures relating to the collection of unpaid court fines make heavy demands on the staff resources of the courts and of the Garda but every effort is made, within the limits of these resources and with due regard to the other urgent work commitments of the staff involved, to make the fine collection process as efficient as possible. The amount of fines collected in 1989 was £6.5 million approximately which represents a considerable increase over the amount collected in the preceding year. It should also be borne in mind that there will always be sizeable amounts of fines outstanding, representing work currently in the hands of courts staff or the Garda.
