194 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by the unemployed and families on low income in paying court fines; her views on the introduction of a system which would enable fines be paid by instalments over a period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2769/95]

While I think that it is worth mentioning that there is an obligation on the courts when imposing a fine to take into account the means of the offender, I can also inform the Deputy that I am at present considering various proposals in relation to the payment of fines and, in particular, the introduction of a system of attachment of earnings whereby the court could order that outstanding fines be deducted from a person's earnings. This would represent a form of payment by instalment and legislative proposals which may emerge in this regard to be announced in the usual way in due course.