Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated a fine is unlikely to be effective, that the courts system would be quicker and that, in any event, if there were penalties, the taxpayer would pay. They are not solid reasons for rejecting the three amendments in question. The amendments seek to give powers to apply financial penalties. In respect of my amendments, the Minister stated he would not direct the competent authority to impose financial penalties. If one reads the amendment, however, one will see that it does not provide for such direction. It provides for consultation with the stakeholders and gives the authority a toolbox that it may use - the word "may" is used specifically - if it so chooses. It will give the authority the power to take that route if it is appropriate. Why would one decide not to give the competent authority an appropriate set of tools that it may wish to use? I do not accept the Minister's response to those amendments.

The Minister stated the letter was written in 2017 and that, therefore, it has been addressed. It has not been addressed because it refers specifically to clause 13, which has not changed since 2017. If the issue relates to clause 13, which remains in the directive, how could time change that? Clause 13 remains in the directive to be brought into Irish law. For this reason, I reject the Minister's suggestion.

See this speech in context