Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 10, before section 9, but in Part 3, to insert the following new section:

"9.—Section 12(1) of the Act of 1987 is amended—

(a) in paragraph (a) by substituting—

(i) "€8,000" for "£1,000" in both places where it occurs, and

(ii) "€800" for "£100",

and

(b) in paragraph (b) by substituting—

(i) "€800,000" for "£10,000", and

(ii) "€8,000" for "£1,000".".

Although Sinn Féin welcomes the proposed changes to the fines, we believe there should be a significant penalty for causing air pollution, particularly if it involves a corporate scenario where a factory is causing such pollution. That is an important issue in the context of food production. Now that agriculture has again taken centre stage, we need strict and rigorous laws to deal with pollution. We need certainty and clarity in this area.

My colleague, Deputy Stanley, highlighted in the Dáil the potential risks air pollution poses for farmers and their lands. The fines we put in place must be capable of providing a serious deterrent. We considered the deterrent nature of the fines proposed was not sufficiently strong in a corporate scenario and we proposed this amendment for that to be taken on board and to ensure companies take this issue more seriously.