Seanad debates
Thursday, 19 June 2003
Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003: Committee Stage.
I sympathise with the Senator's point that the fines are not huge. However, I am increasing the penalties substantially over their present level. I will not refer to how I have been described regarding this legislation, but I do not want people to say that it is repressive and that I am thinking of the heaviest penalties I can in this case. I would not like to give that impression, since there are plenty of people whose sole aim appears to be to exaggerate this legislation and make it appear anti-youth or oppressive. I am mindful of that when I say that the penalties for publicans are greater than for those who are causing the trouble, but I rely on the common sense of the District Court to sort out who is really guilty in such situations. In another context, people have mentioned that a closure order is a very tough remedy in the first instance. However, the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 allows the District Court, in cases that are purely technical or where there is no moral guilt of significance, to find the facts proven and not to convict at all.
No comments