Mr. John Kinsella:

Ms Robinson put it well. This is not a system of administrative fines. This is a procedure whereby people are given the option to accept there has been a breach in the law and accept a small penalty. This is why the penalties are so small. Because people would not go near court, the offences involved must be very regulatory. It is usually for very minor offences that do not carry custodial penalties or heavy fines. It is only available for very minor transgressions. It can only be put out as an option when a decision has been made to prosecute. It is an option for somebody to buy off a prosecution much like a road traffic offence. It is in this range of offences.