JUSTICE MINISTER FRANCES Fitzgerald says that new legislation that would stop people refusing to pay fines is on its way.

Speaking to Newstalk today, Fitzgerald said that new laws that would be in place from 1 January that would allow people have fines taken from their pay, be that wages or social welfare.

Speaking to Dearbhail McDonald, Fitzgerald said that though the practice has been available for a number of months, the Courts Service required an IT upgrade to allow the law become practicable.

“We do have new legislation that will make a big difference.

“We have a much more modernised system that will change the approach to fines in this country.

“If people continue to refuse, they can face a very stiff penalty.”

55% of those imprisoned in Ireland last year were jailed for the non-payment of fines.

The jailing independent deputies Mick Wallace and Clare Daly this week reignited debate around the issue.

Fitzgerald said that while she couldn’t comment on the case, there is an “obligation on all of us to obey the law”.