Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 9 be taken before No. 1." This concerns the carbon monoxide detection Bill. Senator Bacik has mentioned the economy and it is good that the jobless rate has come down. We have a long way to go if we are to get back to where we were but it is the best figure for five years. There are some other good figures related to the economy, and it is worth recognising that both the spending and the economic figures are coming in more favourably. Nonethless, we cannot really relax.

It is interesting to hear on the radio this morning that the effort by the Insolvency Service of Ireland, with expenditure in the past few years of approximately €5 million to €7 million, has only yielded four deals with banks. This is not down to a lack of work on behalf of the Insolvency Service of Ireland but rather poor legislation, and we should pay attention to that. Comparing the insolvency system set up under our legislation with that in Northern Ireland, there is no competition. We must have got something wrong if we only have that return for that length of time invested. There is a good team in the service working well but it has only achieved four deals with banks after all those years despite 320 applications being received. This matter needs a better attempt at legislation and this should serve as a reminder that it is not sufficient to have only one House examining legislation. We must ensure we reform the Seanad so that in future years there will be two Houses with each working and keeping its eye on every piece of legislation coming through and improving what we do.