Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is inappropriate to say I or any Member of this House does not want to give a clear message. I want to do it as much as the Members here. That is why I introduced this legislation. We will have the "blacks" with everything written down and I am prepared to accept exactly what everybody is saying. I can give an undertaking to the House that we need to examine the fines and ensure the penalty reflects the crime, which Senator Twomey talked about. It is my intention to increase fines. My preferred option is to do it within the new, consolidated legislation. It might take away from the fact that the legislation coming very quickly is very complex and difficult. I appreciate what Fine Gael Members are trying to say, that we want to give a very clear, strong signal. I am prepared to give that strong signal.