Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

The Government promised two Bills on the subject of fines. The Fines Bill was to provide for the updating and indexation of fines and related matters, and the Enforcement of Fines Bill was to end imprisonment, where practicable, for inability to pay fines and to provide for new ways of enforcing the payment of fines. Yesterday, the Fines Bill was circulated and the promotion of the Bill seems to suggest it will end imprisonment for inability to pay fines. Of course, it does no such thing. Will we see the enforcement of fines Bill in the life of the Government to end imprisonment, where practicable, for inability to pay fines?

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