Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 5

Written Answers. - Fishery Offence Fines Petitions.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

103 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if she will give, in respect of the years 1988 to 1992 and in respect of each of the regional fisheries boards, the number of petitions received to reduce fines imposed by the courts for fishery offences; the total monetary value of the fines petitioned against; the result of the petitions after her consideration, that is the amount if any, by which such petitions were reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Statistics relating to petitions are not maintained in such a way as to enable the information sought in the question to be provided and compilation of the information, which is not readily available, would require the commitment of a disproportionate amount of staff time.

All petitions for the commutation or remission of penalties, including fishery fines, which come within the remit of the Minister for Justice under Section 23 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, are considered on their merits.