Ivana Bacik (Independent)

A figure of €101 may appear nonsensical but under the wording of the section the instalment option will only apply to fines greater than €100. For this reason, a fine of €100 would not attract the power to pay in instalments. As I indicated during the previous debate on the Bill, leaving aside the larger point about the limit, the section should at least use the words "greater than or equal to €100" to provide that fines of €100 could also be paid in instalments. As the Minister indicated, a fine of €100 is much more common than a fine of €101. The reason judges will issue fines of €101 is that they will realise that the power to pay in instalments only kicks in for fines exceeding €100. Greater clarity is necessary to ensure fines of €100 and above are covered by the instalment option.