Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I second Senator Mary White's motion to hold a debate on No. 11 today. It may have already been seconded by Senator Crown but, in case it has not been, I second it now. It seems out of place for those of us who have already reached the age of 65 years but who have not been forced to retire from the House to force others to retire. This does not make sense.

A man was arrested this morning for the non-payment of three fines. He was subsequently jailed. This occurred in County Limerick. It is outrageous to use jail for the enforcement of offences that can easily be collected by taking products from people instead. The ability to put people into jail almost on a whim makes no sense. We have passed legislation previously to enable the authorities to fine people and, if they do not pay the fine, we can deduct the money from whatever source, either by taking products, goods or money instead. Some 90,000 foreigners did not pay fines incurred through travel on our roads. Some 90,000 points were not paid for and 90,000 foreigners did not pay the fines with which they were charged.

It seems to be easy for someone to come across the Border. Those of us who use the M1 from Dundalk to Dublin will know that as one comes down that road, one is regularly passed by Northern cars driving past and, to a large extent, they ignore the speed limits. The same applies when one goes north of the Boarder and one finds southern cars ignoring the speed limits as they head to Belfast. The ability to avoid fines because one does not live in that part of the country is something we should be able to handle more easily. If one is caught under the influence of alcohol, one is not allowed drive one's car any further. One must park it there and find one's own way home. Surely, there are other ways of enforcing the legislation. To put someone into jail for the non-payment of three €200 fines makes no sense. The correct procedure should be to remove the person's property in some form or other.