Sean Barrett (Independent)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 10, lines 36 to 42, to delete subsection (5).

The point of this amendment is that the Bill makes it an offence for the customer, bringing draconian penalties of €500,000 and imprisonment for three years. If I get a person to bring my milk to the creamery why should I merit that degree of penalty? I do not know whether it is normal for customers who engage in transactions in good faith to be thus treated. If somebody calls to one's door and says he would like to do some haulage on one's behalf, as the customer one becomes liable for an extremely large fine and a lengthy prison sentence. All that was being done was sending milk to the creamery, nothing more heinous was taking place. The imposition of a penalty is on the customer rather than on the person engaging in the illegal act. That and its extent makes this a very heavy penalty for people who act in good faith in trying to conduct their business at the most competitive prices they can get.