Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy referred to the moving on provisions, which are not related to these amendments. They concern two offences covered by the 1994 Act, namely, being disorderly in a public place and being drunk in a public place and the issue of fixed charge penalties. Such penalties are notified to the person who commits the offence and, subsequently, he or she receives a notice. Ultimately, he or she pays a fixed charge penalty similar to the fixed charge penalties for minor driving offences and the payment is made through An Post as the receiving agency. It is proposed in inserting this provision to remove responsibility from the Garda for the acceptance of cash payments. The regulations are under preparation. We are in discussion with the Garda regarding the appropriate charge and it is estimated we will commence them one to two months after the signature of the Bill.

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