44.— (1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person—

(a) contravenes section 39 or 43,

(b) falsely represents to be a registered nurse or registered midwife, or

(c) being a registered nurse or registered midwife, falsely represents to be registered in a division of the register of nurses and midwives other than the division in which the person is registered.

(2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person causes or permits another person to make representations about the first-mentioned person that, if made by the first-mentioned person, would be an offence under subsection (1).

(3) A person is guilty of an offence if the person, with intent to deceive, makes with regard to another person any representation that—

(a) the first-mentioned person knows to be false, and

(b) if made by the other person would be an offence by the other person under subsection (1).

(4) A person is guilty of an offence if the person makes or causes to be made any false declaration or misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining registration.

(5) A person is guilty of an offence if the person, with intent to deceive, makes use of any certificate issued to him or her or any other person under this Act.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both,

(b) on conviction on indictment—

(i) in the case of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding €65,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both,

(ii) in the case of any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding €160,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both.

(7) It shall be a defence in proceedings for an offence under subsection (1)(a) or (2) for the person charged with the offence to prove that the person took all reasonable steps to avoid the commission of the offence.

(8) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not doing so, order the person to pay to the prosecution the costs and expenses, measured by the court, incurred by the prosecution in relation to the prosecution of the offence.