Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

A court when directing that a fine be paid by instalments will specify the time during which the instalments will be paid. It can be for 12 months or a shorter period from the time the fine will otherwise have been due to be paid. This is called due date of payment.

The purpose of the official amendment is to ensure that in accordance with normal practice the time during which the fine must be paid in instalments commences the date after the fine would otherwise have had to be paid instead of the day itself. This is a minor drafting amendment.