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Sam Boal/Frances Fitzgerald
Fines Sans Frontières

Got fined in Ireland? Now it can be collected across the EU

New legislation means you can get hit for fines you receive in Ireland across the EU.

YOU CAN RUN, but you can’t hide.

A new Bill published today will increase cross border co-operation around the European Union.

The new legislation will mean that fines and financial penalties imposed by Irish courts can be collected in other EU jurisdictions. The legislation will bring into effect a number of international treaties already in existence.

The Bill amendment will also allow fines issued in other EU countries to be collected in Ireland.

There will also be a greater level of co-operation over the confiscating of property attained through the proceeds of crime. The amendment also lays out agreement between EU countries on dealing with direct physical threats, such as the threat that would be presented by a terrorist incident.

Speaking about the new legislation, Minister for Justice and Equality France Fitzgerald said:

Crime does not recognise international borders. It is important therefore that the reach of our laws can also extend beyond our own borders. I expect that this Bill will be particularly useful in targeting cross-border offenders who commit offences and in confiscating proceeds of crime.

In February last year a law was introduced that allowed businesses to register innovations Europe wide rather than just in their own jurisdictions. At the time of its introduction, Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton described it as a “truly historical moment”.

In April of this year, the European Court of Justice ruled that an EU law requiring telecom firms to keep customers’ communication data for two years was “invalid”.

Read: GSOC is getting new powers to investigate the Garda Commissioner

Also: New law will make it illegal to recruit or train terrorists

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