Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

No one interrupted Deputy Boyd Barrett. If it was easy to introduce it in a certain jurisdiction, it is a pity the previous speaker did not use the experience of that jurisdiction to introduce a Private Members' Bill. There has been no attempt by anyone in opposition to introduce any proposal on personal insolvency. On that basis, I congratulate the Minister for Justice and Equality. Since Deputy Shatter became a Member of the Oireachtas, it has become clear that his knowledge of the protection of the family is second to none. Those studying to become solicitors know that Deputy Shatter's Family Law is one of the foremost authoritative texts on Irish family law. Who better to have in a position of protecting the family home than someone who is the foremost authority on family law? It is important that this restores some semblance of hope to those who have had their hopes shattered by the main institutions of the State in terms of banking, regulation, administration and governance. People have been failed on all fronts. Previous speakers have gone into detail on what is included in the Bill. Families come into my clinic, and to other Deputies' clinics, and they do not have the wherewithal to get from Monday to Friday. They are at their wits' end and their hopes have been dashed. They have been left with huge debts and an inability to pay back debt. Banks and everyone else are breathing down their necks. The measure before the House and the measures introduced by the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, with regard to mortgage to rent schemes, show the commitment to dealing with personal debt and the protection of the family home in the programme for Government. This commitment must be recognised by Members on all sides. The Government's commitment to this is evident in the fact that there is no guillotine on the Bill, which will be debated late tonight, and that Committee Stage will be taken when we resume.

I have concerns that the service should be rooted in the community and should not be aloof. I compliment Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan because there is a temptation to focus on acronyms, such as PIPS and PSAs. The people who will ultimately have the debt hanging around their necks do not care what acronyms are used. They want to know who the person is and whether they can trust them. They want to know whether the person they will go to for advice and assistance is tainted by the process that got us into this mess. As a State, we will never be able to move on from the past 14 years until we see some semblance of justice for the hundreds of thousands of families left in dire straits. This may involve bankers, other people or those who held political office and who failed the State being brought before the courts to be held to account. Until we get to that point, legislation such as this will only take us part of the way. We need the cleansing process to ensure we do not go down the same failed road as we came out of.

MABS is a trusted organisation and has its roots in every part of the community. It is accessible to people and speaks the language understood by ordinary people in difficulty. It is proven to be confidential and trustworthy in its dealings with people. It has a role at the lower end of debt but when this Bill is being fleshed out on Committee Stage, the organisation may have a greater role to play.

I welcome the Bill. There is a temptation in this House, particularly in the past few minutes, towards opposition for opposition's sake. If this was as simple as some people suggest, it would have been resolved long ago. The fact that it is so complex and involves so many Departments means that compliments are due to the Minister. I wish him well in its implementation.

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