Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the fact that the Bill which is long overdue is about to be passed. The first report on indexation was published by the Law Reform Commission in 1991. Fine Gael published a number of Bills dealing with this issue, but each of them was voted down. The Minister is correct to state the Bill contains a number of important innovations. The provision relating to a structured indexation of fines is normal in nature. However, providing for payment in instalments and taking into account the financial means of persons found to have committed offences are good and welcome innovations. The Bill will have a significant effect in reducing the numbers needlessly committed to prison. It is these individuals who are clogging up the prison system.