Minister Browne welcomes passing of Bill introducing important law reforms by the Dáil

Fianna Fáil Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne, has welcomed the passing of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 by the Dáil.

Minister Browne said: "I welcome the passing of this Bill by the Dáil, as it introduces a number of very important reforms in the law across a broad range of areas that will make a real difference for peoples' lives.

"It increases the number of judges in the Court of Appeal, which will maintain the number of judges available to sit on the court while Ms Justice Power acts as sole member of the Defence Forces Tribunal.

"The Bill also increases the fine payable where an airline or ferry company is found guilty, on summary conviction, of allowing a person to board a vehicle destined for the State without the proper documentation.

"One example of where this might be employed is where an airline allows someone who requires a visa for Ireland to board a flight to Ireland without the required visa. The Bill increases the maximum fine in this case to €5,000, which brings the fines in Ireland in line with other European countries, strengthening our immigration laws.

"Fianna Fáil in government strongly believes that increasing carrier liabilities and fines as part of immigration reform are key to upholding the integrity of our immigration system.

"Importantly, the Bill also included my proposal to increase the maximum sentences for serious knife-related offences.

"A number of extremely serious and, in some cases, fatal knife attacks in recent years have caused a valid increase in public concern about the criminal possession and use of knives. Official figures also show that over the same period, there have been gradual but significant increases in knife seizures, prosecutions for knife crime offences and the treatment of knife attack injuries in our hospitals.

"Fianna Fáil is serious about tackling knife crime and we have long believed a strengthening of our laws is required in order to protect our communities from people who carry and use knives. It is welcome that this Bill means action has now been taken and the maximum penalty for serious knife crime has increased to seven years."

-ENDS-

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