Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

We have an opportunity with regard to the content of this legislation and that of the Personal Insolvency Bill to make a difference to those who elected us less than a year ago. Many people, and perhaps some of those who voted for us last year, did not realise then they would be in the situation they are in today. We must think of those people and get away from the obsession with headlines and numbers. I notice the numbers are not too high on the other side of the Chamber here today. Perhaps the Members are too busy making telephone calls.

It is a shame that we will divide on this legislation on Tuesday. However, we have an opportunity, through the Personal Insolvency Bill, to incorporate many of the elements of Deputy Donnelly's Bill. I suspect the words "constitutional", "constitutional blockages" and "Bunreacht na hÉireann" will be used to provide a reason for having a division. I respectfully suggest that Gerry Whyte knows his way around the Constitution and one should look at his letter today. Ultimately, Bunreacht na hÉireann puts the family at its heart and that is the constitutional obligation we have as parliamentarians to families in this country. What we are trying to do through Deputy Donnelly's Bill and that of Senators MacSharry and Byrne and through the Personal Insolvency Bill is to protect families. Surely we can get around the difficulties and come up with legislation that will help us address them.

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