Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The advice of the Attorney General was that the fines should be increased from the original €3,000 to €5,000 in this case, and from €500 to €3,000 and from €10,000 to €25,000. The purpose of the increased fine in this instance is to deter people from acting in a careless and dangerous manner while operating vessels. It is the maximum fine. It will be a matter for the courts and the judge of the relevant court to decide the fine that should be imposed. It is largely a deterrent.