Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I appreciate his intention of providing for a review of the Personal Insolvency Act 2013. The amendment is not necessary because the Act provides for a statutory review. Section 141 requires the Minister for Justice and Equality to carry out a full review of the operation of insolvency arrangements under the Act, including DNRs, DSAs and PIAs within three years of its commencement, that is, by 21 July 2016. The review is to be completed within one year and the resulting report laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

We have completed a departmental review having met the various stakeholders, including MABS and others involved in this area, following the statement of Government priorities last May and I will bring forward proposals based on that review. The review has examined the full scope of the Act. Perhaps the Deputy will consider withdrawing the amendment because it may serve to unnecessarily duplicate the review work, which is provided for in the Act. I will speak fully on many of the issues in the review on Report Stage. I understand that Stage will not be taken next week and it will be some weeks away. That will give me time to bring forward amendments following the review, which has just been completed but which has not been submitted to the Cabinet or a Cabinet sub-committee.