Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has told the Dáil that gardaí have issued more than 300 fines of €500 for non-essential travel to Irish airports or ports over the last two to three weeks.

These are among more than 9,000 fines issued under a system of fixed-charge notices for those found in breach of those COVID-19 regulations which have been designated as penal provisions, she said.

This system allows for a speedier system of fines, without the requirement for a person to be brought before the courts and prosecuted.

'Inconceivable'

The minister was speaking during a debate on the Health (Amendment) Bill 2021, which covers the introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving in Ireland from certain countries, or those who arrive without a PCR test.

She said it was important that the legislative approach reflected the balance between the protection of public health and constitutional freedoms, adding that she believed the bill did so and would remain in place only as long as public health circumstances required.

“One year ago, it would have been almost inconceivable that we would be in a position where penal regulations would be in place to bar people from travelling to airports and ports or that we would seek to place individuals entering our country into a mandatory quarantine system,” the minister said.

Assistance

The minister said it would not be appropriate for members of An Garda Síochána to provide a permanent presence at quarantine locations.

“It is important to note that those who are serving their period of mandatory quarantine have committed no crime,” she said.

She added, however, that her department and gardaí would provide assistance where there were public order incidents or attempts to breach the regulations.