Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 45:

In page 65, to delete lines 33 to 35 and substitute the following:

"is guilty of an offence and liable—

(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.".

Amendment No. 45 to section 69 provides for a penalty following conviction on indictment of a witness who, when giving evidence before a judge of the District Court knowingly makes a false statement or does not testify when under an obligation to do so. The introduction of this amendment ensures consistency in the Bill as this provision replicates that in section 66 (11), which provides for the taking of evidence for use in the State.

Amendment No. 65 introduces a penalty in section 86 for non-compliance with an order for restitution. The penalty following summary conviction is of a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

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