David Norris (Independent)

I support Senator Twomey whose contribution is significant. The House should bear this specifically in mind because of the recent case involving former Senator Jim Higgins and Deputy Brendan Howlin who found themselves in some legal difficulty in regard to their sources. That is a good point. The more I think about it the more strongly I believe the Minister should harmonise the penalties in section 221 between whistleblowers and persons who act corruptly because the potential gain and sums of money involved are astronomical. There is potential for criminal, deliberate and perverse corruption of the system, which is very serious. In many cases a person who makes a false statement to the Garda Síochána does so not just out of malice but because he or she is a little unbalanced. At least the fines and terms of imprisonment should be the same for both offences. If I was a corrupt business person and saw the possibility of securing a contract for myself or an ally that would reward me in terms of millions, I do not think I would be deterred by a slap on the wrist or a €1,000 fine. I would not be that much more deterred by a €5,000 fine but it would make the point that the offences were at least at the same level. I have thought about the matter since I first raised it and will be tabling an amendment straightaway. I believe my colleague, Senator O'Toole, will be prepared to second it.