Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 37, lines 21 and 22, to delete ", or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both".

The section makes it an offence to deliberately or recklessly dazzle or distract a pilot or other relevant personnel such as air traffic controllers. It is intended to combat the increasing instances of persons using a laser to dazzle or attempt to dazzle a pilot of an aircraft, in particular. By making it a serious offence and providing for substantial penalties, including imprisonment, people will think twice before engaging in such irresponsible behaviour which could have potentially catastrophic consequences. Occasionally, outdoor laser light shows associated with concerts or similar public events can constitute a hazard to aircraft. That is why the section provides for more substantial financial penalties to be applied to corporate bodies. This is a technical amendment to remove the reference to "prison term for a body corporate" because it is not possible to send a corporation to prison. The intention was to make a corporate body liable for a fine of up to €250,000 only, but I am removing the reference to imprisonment.