Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 17, line 16, to delete “5 years” and substitute “10 years”.

The amendment proposes to amend the penalty for any person who is convicted under section 6, which deals with the offence of active and passive trading in influence. This is a serious offence involving the corrupt acceptance of bribes in return for doing something for a person who has granted the bribe. I am aware that other legislation deals with such corruption. The specific penalty suggested in the Bill for someone who is convicted on indictment is five years. The penalty should be increased to ten years to reflect the seriousness with which the Houses of the Oireachtas and members of the public regard an offence of corruption under section 6. I am interested in the Minister's response on whether he proposes to accept the proposed increase in the penalty for a person convicted of the indictable offence or believes five years' imprisonment in an appropriate penalty. I do not believe it is an appropriate sentence. I will not press the amendment but I may do so on Report Stage if it comes to that.