Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

This amendment arose on Committee Stage, when concern was expressed that the size of the fine for a person guilty of an offence under section 79 was too small. As was indicated at the time of the Committee Stage debate, an increase in the size of the fine was accepted in principle, subject to further discussions with the office of the Attorney General. Those discussions have taken place and I am pleased to accept amendment No. 33. However, the Government does not accept the related amendment tabled by Senators Browne and Hayes, which attempts to ensure that the fine is increased in line with inflation. This is a broader policy issue that is more appropriate for consideration by the Office of the Attorney General. If this approach is adopted, it should be adopted across all legislation and not just for this Bill. Therefore, the Government does not accept amendment No. 34.