Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I think it was clear from her presentation that Dr. McGann is talking about using these mechanisms as a means of keeping wages low. It is fair enough if she does not accept that. People can listen to what she has said and read the transcript.

I will address a question to Mr. Berney. One thing that struck me in looking over the heads of the Bill was that the penalties for employers breaching the rules seem relatively low. The penalties for employers not having an employment permit, for example, are a fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and a fine not exceeding €250,000 on indictment. That is the same amount of money as was the case in the 2003 Act, despite 18 years of inflation. Similarly, the fines for major fraud, forgery, etc., are also relatively low and the maximum fine is €50,000. Circumstances could arise where a company such as Gama Construction could be involved in substantial abuse of the scheme and only face a maximum fine of €50,000.

Is that something ICTU has looked at?