Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I am responding to the points Senators made. There is a criminal industry in which, as I stated, well organised criminal gangs knowingly exploit the workforce. These gangs earn much of their profits on the backs of illegal workers. The level of fine in the Bill is required as a deterrent and will be imposed on indictment in the Circuit Court. The penalty must be sufficient to deter individuals in the business of exploiting illegal workers.

Genuine employers who make mistakes, are careless or commit a first offence will have recourse to the defence mechanism set out in section 2(4). We have been careful to ensure a proper balance, part of which is the deterrent effect of the significant fines.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.