Would you be in favor of covid-19 fines in Ireland?

pgj2015 · 07-10-2020 9:55am #1

I would, fines for people not wearing masks in supermarkets etc very big fines for anyone who has house parties etc. fines for people travelling outside their county for non essential travel. im baffled as to why they have not been introduced.

BobMc · 07-10-2020 9:56am

Voted No, as dont think its practical to collect them if masses decide not too pay them

pgj2015 · 07-10-2020 9:57am

BobMc wrote: »

Voted No, as dont think its practical to collect them if masses decide not too pay them

yes, well if they dont pay them, an even worse punishment can be brought in.

dmakc · 07-10-2020 9:59am

No. You cannot incentivise the government to do this. We'll be in level 4 twenty years after the vaccine is introduced.

07-10-2020 9:59am

Yes, people taking the piss partying etc. is going to have us in level5 for a long time.

Tenzor07 · 07-10-2020 10:01am

pgj2015 wrote: »

yes, well if they dont pay them, an even worse punishment can be brought in.

Damn right, a few gun towers dotted along county borders with their sights set on transgressors!

ax530 · 07-10-2020 10:03am

No people would just see them as an additional cost to having a party and be willing to pay
Other s dont have the means to pay so won't causing administration costs the state can't afford

07-10-2020 10:04am

I'd be more in favour of leadership from the top.

Can't expect the peasants to behave when the captains of industry are allowed run amok.

pgj2015 · 07-10-2020 10:04am

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Damn right, a few gun towers dotted along county borders with their sights set on transgressors!

If people can't behave themselves in times of a 100 year pandemic that has the potential to destroy our country for many years then fines are needed, some people are thick as $hit and need to be treated like the kids they are.

07-10-2020 10:05am

pgj2015 wrote: »

yes, well if they dont pay them, an even worse punishment can be brought in.

Such as?

Limpy · 07-10-2020 10:05am

No. Because we have a fine system for many things. Speeding for example. People Still speed.

Also if it's not in law, ie in the constitution can a fine be enforced?

How many businesses or government institutions would have to close if rules were really enforced. Basically anyone with a phone could catch a person breaking covid reg, chatting to the neighbor for a few seconds ect with a few kids present.

07-10-2020 10:06am

BobMc wrote: »

Voted No, as dont think its practical to collect them if masses decide not too pay them

Firstly there are already large fines and jail time available as punishment for not wearing masks in supermarkets but I fully agree fines for leaving county, house parties, meeting in groups outdoor (protests etc) all need to have heavy fines.

People dont agree with most fines but they pay them.

Don't pay then court and higher fines or jail time. Fast track a few example cases to court and punish them heavily and slap it all over the new. Any other imbeciles thinking of not pay will be quick to change their mind when they see the consequences.

07-10-2020 10:08am

Mallory Great Woodpecker wrote: »

People dont agree with most fines but they pay them.

Don't pay then court and higher fines or jail time. Fast track a few example cases to court and punish them heavily and slap it all over the new. Any other imbeciles thinking of not pay will be quick to change their mind when they see the consequences.

And the higher fines aren't paid...?

How many prison places do you think we have?

plodder · 07-10-2020 10:08am

The alternative is what is happening on the roads today - stopping and delaying everyone including those with a legitimate reason for being there.

And we have fines already. The question is the usual one where we ask ourselves is it a law we want to enforce, or just one of the advisory ones.

is_that_so · 07-10-2020 10:09am

Mallory Great Woodpecker wrote: »

People dont agree with most fines but they pay them.

Don't pay then court and higher fines or jail time. Fast track a few example cases to court and punish them heavily and slap it all over the new. Any other imbeciles thinking of not pay will be quick to change their mind when they see the consequences.

We only have fines of €2500 so good luck with making people pay. I see single mother of 4 on Joe Duffy!

pgj2015 · 07-10-2020 10:09am

Limpy wrote: »

No. Because we have a fine system for many things. Speeding for example. People Still speed.

Also if it's not in law, ie in the constitution can a fine be enforced?

How many businesses or government institutions would have to close if rules were really enforced. Basically anyone with a phone could catch a person breaking covid reg, chatting to the neighbor for a few seconds ect with a few kids present.

people still speed but imagine how much speeding there would be if there was no such thing as penalty points and insurers charging you more depending on how many points you have.

laws can be changed and quickly if in times of crisis such as now. the government could easily introduce fines if they want to.

businesses arent going to break restrictions unless they are stupid and if they do then they will rightly be heavily fined.

07-10-2020 10:10am

Deleted User wrote: »

And the higher fines aren't paid...?

How many prison places do you think we have?

Just take it from their pay or dole in many cases.

Gael23 · 07-10-2020 10:10am

At this point yes.
Level 5 restrictions would destroy our economy for a generation so we need to ensure we don’t go there

pgj2015 · 07-10-2020 10:12am

Deleted User wrote: »

Such as?

literally anything that would deter people breaking covid restrictions, ban them off the road for a year.

TexasTornado · 07-10-2020 10:13am

Mallory Great Woodpecker wrote: »

Firstly there are already large fines and jail time available as punishment for not wearing masks in supermarkets but I fully agree fines for leaving county, house parties, meeting in groups outdoor (protests etc) all need to have heavy fines.

People dont agree with most fines but they pay them.

Don't pay then court and higher fines or jail time. Fast track a few example cases to court and punish them heavily and slap it all over the new. Any other imbeciles thinking of not pay will be quick to change their mind when they see the consequences.

Jail time? Do you know anything about the prison system. Seriously there is no space for non fine payers.

screamer · 07-10-2020 10:13am

How about their pps numbers are taken, and if they turn up for Covid treatment can be put at the bottom of the list, or not treated at all? No, too harsh, unfair? These are the exact people who don’t give a **** about anyone else and are quite ok to go around possibly spreading Covid. Why should society care about those who don’t care for others?
Fine them it’s easy, take it out of their welfare payments or tax credits.

TexasTornado · 07-10-2020 10:13am

Gael23 wrote: »

At this point yes.
Level 5 restrictions would destroy our economy for a generation so we need to ensure we don’t go there

No it wouldn't.

screamer · 07-10-2020 10:16am

TexasTornado wrote: »

No it wouldn't.

Yes, it would. We’re already breaking into the rainy day fund to keep going, we can’t afford a level 5 again, we need restrictions with better enforcement so that we can stay going best we can

liamog · 07-10-2020 10:16am

Yes I'd be in favour of fines, but big fines are counter productive. I'd much rather see people hit with a €15 on the spot fine that is guaranteed to be applied, than a hypothetical large fine that is almost never used.

07-10-2020 10:17am

Mallory Great Woodpecker wrote: »

Just take it from their pay or dole in many cases.

So you think taking a 25% (assuming a €50 fine) of a person's dole, which is piss all as is, is appropriate?

That's not going to lead to further problems?

Gael23 · 07-10-2020 10:17am

TexasTornado wrote: »

No it wouldn't.

For many businesses who are just about keeping their heads above water being forced to close again would be the final nail in the coffin. Especially if they miss out on the Christmas spending spree

froog · 07-10-2020 10:19am

Yes and use all the fines to help with contact tracing or more ICU beds.

893bet · 07-10-2020 10:19am

No. Pointless.

Those that will pay prob are not the ones breaking the rules.

Those that won’t pay are the ones that don’t give a **** anyway so their behaviour won’t change.

07-10-2020 10:20am

Deleted User wrote: »

Such as?

Deduction at source, (whether this be wage or welfare) if fine not paid within 28 working days.

Parents of non-compliant minors (teenagers) fined.

Suspension of driving licence if fines unpaid (works in the US for non-payment of child support)

Just throwing out suggestions. Where there is a will, there is a way.

07-10-2020 10:20am

We were doing well down here in Waterford until there was a meat factory outbreak. Cases began to soar. Thankfully on the way back down.

What's an appropriate punishment for the meat barons?

plodder · 07-10-2020 10:22am

liamog wrote: »

Yes I'd be in favour of fines, but big fines are counter productive. I'd much rather see people hit with a €15 on the spot fine that is guaranteed to be applied, than a hypothetical large fine that is almost never used.

Exactly. The mistake that's made all the time in this country is to not bother enforcing existing penalties, so we then increase the penalty, turning it into a game of Russian Roulette where only if you are very unlucky are you hit with it.

Totally agree, on the spot fine of €15 for a first offence, or go to court and risk a €100 fine, then €200 for a second offence ... and so on.

Would you be in favor of covid-19 fines in Ireland?

Would you be in favor of covid-19 fines in Ireland? 470 votes

Comments