Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

We had a good debate on this issue on Committee Stage. I fully subscribe to the spirit of the amendment but it is essential that there are deterrents for people who do not pay their bills. Many people choose to spend their money on other less necessary expenditure rather than commitments they have to the State. It is important deterrents are in place. The Minister gave a good and fair response on the last occasion in that it is an issue that has a broader remit than just TV licences and that it is under review in respect of the Fines Bill. I would have thought that is a more logical place for the issue to be dealt with but I would support the spirit of the amendment because putting people in prison for non-payment of relatively small amounts of money is, even from an economic point of view, foolhardy. Presuming the Minister will respond in similar fashion to his response on the previous day, what he is suggesting is eminently sensible and on that basis we should support it. I look forward to the expeditious preparation of the Fines Bill to allow the matter be dealt with in that legislation.