Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The employer would have to compensate the individual fully for his or her loss of income and also the Department of Social Protection for the payments made. This needs to be considered further and I would need to receive the advice of the Attorney General on whether we could introduce double penalties. I am not familiar with other instances in civil or criminal law where double penalties are imposed. I would have to receive the advice of the Attorney General on whether that was advisable or even possible and whether it would stand up to challenge in the courts. I am not aware of double penalties being applied in other similar instances.

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