People who do not follow COVID-19 rules, such as wearing face masks in shops or on public transport, could face on-the-spot fines of up to €500, the Department of Health has confirmed.

The Government agreed on Tuesday to introduce additional enforcement powers for the Gardaí to deal with regulation breaches.

According to the department, the new Health (Amendment) Bill 2020 will amend the Health Act 1947, allowing for a system of fixed penalty notices, and the legislation will be enacted "as soon as possible".

"Currently, sanctions of a fine up to €2,500 and/or six months imprisonment can apply under the 1947 Health Act. The new amendments will introduce a system of tiered fines, including fixed penalty notices, which can be set up to €500," the department explained.

As part of the amendments, repeat offenders face higher sanctions.

The offences which will be subject to these fixed penalty notices and the level of penalties that will apply are to be determined by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, in consultation with the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.

Meanwhile, the legislation will also make it an offence to organise house parties in private homes and gardens. "Appropriate penalties will be put in place" for this offence, the department said.

Commenting on the need for these measures, Minister Donnelly pointed out that while the majority of people are following public health guidance, "some are not".

"The objective of these measures is to enhance compliance with public health guidance. Adhering to the guidance is important as not only does it help to protect ourselves and the people around us, it also protects our health system and allows our healthcare workers to continue to care for all patients, both those with COVID-19 and those with other healthcare needs," he said.

According to Minister McEntee, the Gardaí "will continue policing as they have done throughout the pandemic - by encouraging people to comply with public health regulations".

She said that this "shouldn't become a numbers game" and the aim is simply to get people to behave responsibly.

"The system of penalties being proposed here may help to change behaviour. It is important to stress that the aim needs to be preventing the kind of behaviour which endangers others, rather than aiming to see a large number of fines issued for such behaviour," Minister McEntee added.