The Minister for Justice said that he made no apology for the severity of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill.
Mr O'Donoghue said that under the measure persons found guilty of corrupt practices would face unlimited fines or up to 10 years in prison, or both. "These could be described as swingeing penalties, but I make no apologies for that.
Mr O'Donoghue said the law relating to corruption was governed mainly by the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916. There had been some updating to those made by the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. He said the Rainbow Government had balked at taking the tough decisions which were required. "My Bill will correct this deficiency."
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