Higher fines for breaches of laws

Publicans and retailers who breach consumer legislation could face a five-fold increase in fines under new proposals from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The bill, which went before the Seanad last week, aims to increase the maximum fines that can be imposed on conviction for the breach of eight specific laws.

Under the proposals, retailers could soon face maximum fines of €3,000 on summary conviction, up from €635, for failing to ...