ISME, the Irish SME Association today (18th October) expressed delight at the introduction of the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018.
The bill was introduced by Senator Pádraig Ó’Céidigh and co-sponsored by Senator Michael McDowell, Senator Ian Marshall, and Senator Victor Boyhan. The second stage debate will take place on 24th October.
Speaking today, ISME CEO Neil McDonnell said:
“We have campaigned for more than a year for the introduction of a statutory offence. It is a disgrace that our courts are weekly hosts to a tragicomedy of lies, told in order to extort damages from innocent motorists, business owners and householders for false or exaggerated personal injuries.
Of course a statutory offence of perjury will not eliminate these claims, but it will place dishonest claimants in real moral hazard when they go before a judge. We also look forward to the impact a robust perjury statute will have in tackling white-collar crime.”
Mr McDonnell added:
“On behalf of ISME’s National Council and members, I would like to thank Senator Pádraig Ó’Céidigh for his hard work on this bill, and his Seanad colleagues for agreeing to co-sponsor it. We look forward to a robust debate at the second stage, and the support of all TDs and Senators, of all parties and none. ”
ENDS.
For further information, please contact
Wayne Tobin, Press, Policy and Research Officer
T: 01 6622755
E: wayne@isme.ie
