Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I must speak about MABS as Deputy Spring has done. MABS has built up a considerable database of contacts and of approaches which must be utilised in the future.

There is an expectation that the Bill is the panacea, roadmap or answer to all ills. People have felt a sense of hopelessness and of being let down and forgotten. There is now an insolvency Bill building upon other measures that can offer a way forward. Given that we are in a challenging economic environment and given that there is a Government that has gone to Europe, made the change and created a different approach in the domestic economy, we continue to commit to the protection of people. One size does not fit all. We must recognise we need entrepreneurs but we also need public services and must protect people. I hope the Bill will be the catalyst to do that.

See this speech in context