Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I accepted a number of amendments on Committee and Report Stages, but this is one which I cannot accept. As a matter of policy it is not considered appropriate that the breach of the condition of a licence should be an offence. The powers contained in the Bill to ensure compliance with the conditions of a licence are adequate for that purpose. The possible revocation, suspension or amendment of a licence provides a strong incentive for service providers to be compliant. The offence provision for operating an unlicensed premium rate service is intended to incentivise intending premium rate service providers to obtain a licence for such services.

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