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People who host or host house parties or other gatherings that break Covid-19 level 5 restrictions could face a fine of up to € 1,000 or imprisonment for one month, depending on the proposed legislation.
Higher penalties may be imposed for repeat offenses.
The new measures were approved by the Cabinet last night in order to empower the gardaí to enforce public health restrictions, which take effect at midnight.
Other offenses, such as not wearing a mask on public transport or in shops, could lead to on-site fines of a maximum of € 500.
In a statement, the government said: “It is planned to enact the legislation as soon as possible.”
He added that gardaí will only use such enforcement measures as a “last resort.”
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “It is important to emphasize that the goal should be to prevent the kind of behavior that endangers others, rather than aiming to see a large number of fines issued for such behavior.”
It is not expected that the fines can be imposed for at least a week, because even when the legislation is approved by the Oireachtas, gardaí will require some time before applying the measures.
However, the secretary general of the Garda Association of Sergeants and Inspectors, Antoinette Cunningham, warned that the legislation could “cause difficulties.”
In a statement, he said: “We remain concerned about the practicalities of issuing fines on the ground in relation to house parties and other matters.”
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Meanwhile, the finance minister said that today has been a “tough, tough day”, but that those who close their businesses and lose their jobs will be supported.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Paschal Donohoe said that substantial changes have been made to the wage subsidy scheme to support employers and additionally, a cash payment will be made to closed businesses of up to about 10% of their turnover per week.
He said that he expects the country to return to Level 3 in December and that the wage subsidy scheme and the Covid Support Restriction Scheme will remain until January.
The minister said he fully supports the move to Level 5, but also thoroughly questioned the proposal and the concerns raised by health officials.
He said he “extensively questioned” different points of view and data that were presented to the government, but is “absolutely satisfied” that this is the safest course of action.
Mr. Donohoe said that there are two pillars in the government’s approach to Covid-19; redouble efforts to reduce transmission and bring the transmission rate to an R-number below one, while supporting employers and employees.
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