Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The principle is similar to that applied for basic driving offences where a fixed penalty charge is applied. A notice is served on a person and he or she has 28 days to make the payment. If it is not made, an additional charge is levied which must be paid within a further period of 28 days and the offender, therefore, must pay an increased penalty. If he or she does not pay, a prosecution follows. This is similar to the mechanism for pursuing minor traffic offences.

See this speech in context