Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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It is fair to suggest debt collection legislation should fall to be dealt with by the Department of Justice and Equality, but the problem is that it has been thrown about between the two Departments. The matter should fall to the Department of Finance and debt collectors should be regulated like any other financial entity, yet this sector is unregulated and unlicensed. I take it from the Minister's comments that he will not consider the matter in the context of this Bill. It is welcome that the work done by Deputy Michael McGrath in drafting his Bill prompted this legislation, but there is a glaring gap as regards debt collection. Will the Minister pursue this issue, perhaps with the Minister for Justice and Equality, to ensure the void is closed?