Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many people refusing to pay fines could be repeat offenders who have no respect whatsoever for the law. I am sure it is frustrating for An Garda Síochána, which carries out investigations and brings offenders to court, only for them to get off scot-free without paying fines or being punished for their crimes. We have to show the law-abiding citizens of our country that people who go before the courts and are fined are made to pay. Whether that is a payment or deduction from their social welfare or wages, they must be made to pay for their crimes. In the Minister's Department, if people are overpaid on their social welfare payment or pension, an investigation happens and it is found to have been wrongly paid, then the money is deducted from their future payments. Every person has a PPS number. I am sure many people who go before the courts are either getting wages or a social welfare payment. If they do not pay the fine, after a period of six months, it should be deducted from their social welfare or salary. Hit them where it hurts, because if they do not pay the fine, they will keep reoffending. What measures does the Government propose to make sure that people who commit often serious offences are made to pay for their crimes?

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