The Government didn't make the decision to introduce fines for COVID-19 breaches lightly, the Justice Minister has said.
Helen McEntee says she believes people who are compliant with the rules want to see some form of penalty for those who ignore the guidelines.
Under the proposed laws, a €1,000 fine could be given to someone who throws a house party.
A third-time offence could lead to fines of up to €2,500 or a six-month jail term.
Other breaches of the restrictions could lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to €500.
The legislation which would bring the rules into force will go before the Dáil and Seanad in the coming days.
Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, Minister McEntee said she believe the fines will be issued as a last resort.
She said: "The vast majority of people are going to comply - and [for those] who don't at this stage, others want to see some form of penalty.
"We didn't want to get to this point, but there comes a point where there has to be something else to show a difference here."
The Justice Minister said the Government previously stated it would keep the issue of house gatherings under review - and such gatherings have now become 'problematic'.
Concerns have been raised by a number of groups about the new fines - with the AGSI warning that gardaí remain effectively “powerless” to prevent house parties.
