Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I seek provision for a decision in each case on what is appropriate so that it would be open to the prosecuting authority to seek a higher penalty, which would be available to the court to impose. A number of the offences encompassed by the lesser model proposed by the Minister of State where the fine could be not more than €3,000 could involve a serious omission, including the failure to make a risk assessment, which could result in serious harm to workers. In those circumstances, a fine of not more than €3,000 is inadequate.

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