asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in respect of the last 12 months for which figures are available the amount of money collected in fines from prosecutions brought by the Garda.

The available statistics relating to the amounts collected in fines do not distinguish between fines from prosecutions brought by the Garda and fines from prosecutions brought by certain other persons or bodies such as certain Government Departments. However, a substantially accurate estimate of the produce of fines from Garda prosecutions can be made in respect of the year 1975 and the estimate is £680,000. It will be some time yet before an analysis of the total returns for 1976 can be made so as to provide a similar estimate for 1976.

Is it correct to say that there are no figures available in the Department for Garda prosecutions alone?

The Deputy asked for information in respect of the 12 months for which figures are available of the amount of money collected in fines from Garda prosecutions and I have told him that a substantially accurate estimate of the fines for such prosecutions can be made in respect of the year 1975—£680,000.

Surely the Department of Justice keep tabs on their own prosecutions?

All I can say is that the figure I have given is a substantially accurate estimate. Notification of fines come from local District and Circuit Court offices and the Garda must rely substantially on those figures.

Can the Minister give a figure for fines applicable to Dublin?

I have no idea.

(Dublin Central): Where do the fines go to— the Department of Justice or the Exchequer.

To the Exchequer.