Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 71:

In page 36, subsection (3), line 25, to delete "€2,500" and substitute "€3,000".

This amendment is similar to that which we tabled to bring the standard penalty for a summary offence up to €3,000. Amendment No. 72 reflects the fact that we believe the offence of impersonation of a garda is a very serious one, which must be reflected in the gravity of the penalty available. I cannot understand why the Minister has not made impersonation an indictable offence when one considers the circumstances in which people have impersonated gardaí. For example, members of the Provisional IRA have set up road blocks and placed blue lights on their cars in order to pull over trucks carrying alcohol and cigarettes. Senators are aware of such activities. I am sure the Minister agrees that the impersonation of a garda is a very serious offence, which is reflected in the content of the amendment.