Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I would like to acknowledge what the Minister has done. It is a very important Bill and I acknowledge the manner in which he has put the Bill through the House. I am sure it will be signed by the President soon.

There is a real need for this Bill. The Minister somewhat downplayed the figures when he said that a mere 1% of prisoners at any one time are in jail for defaulting on fines. That can be 400 people, which represents a lot of our citizens at any one time.

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