Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Protection of Debtors) Bill 2009. Like my colleagues, I compliment Deputy Charles Flanagan on introducing this Bill. I regret Deputy Flanagan is not in the House as I was going to remind him of our conversation a few weeks ago, in the midst of the economic challenges, that what we need is a happy week.

I thank my colleagues, particularly Deputy O'Hanlon who has allowed me speak before him, for facilitating me. I am not usually parochial, but there is a group from an Cosán in Tallaght in the Visitors Gallery. I am anxious to spend some time with them as they go on the tour. I will refer to Tallaght later.

I agree with what other colleagues have said on the subject matter of the Bill. We should recognise that we are in different times. I am old enough to remember a Dublin of far off times when there was much talk about difficulties associated with money lending and debt collecting. As Deputy Cregan and others have said, we still need to be very careful, given the times we are in, to recognise the difficulties people are facing. It is not just in Dublin and certainly not just in Dublin South West. It can be all over the country as other colleagues can confirm. From recent media coverage we know of criminal involvement in debt collection. The Government must keep a close eye on that situation.

The contributions so far have covered personal debt and the difficulties it causes for people. I recently came across a case in my constituency of a company struggling to retain jobs and maintain its business. It found it was owed large amounts of money by other companies, including a hotel which became insolvent. It is important to understand the challenges associated with debt collection. There are many different sides to that. I am glad to see the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, covering for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Minister of State will know that I want to congratulate him on his efforts, particularly his work on the drugs programme. I will continue to maintain contact with him in that regard.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has had a very busy day. He has been dealing with the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. Like me he will have noted today's shocking report on child abuse in the Dublin diocese. Like other colleagues I am upset and shocked by the report. I know the Minister will remain focused. As far as the business before the House tonight is concerned, the Minister will understand that from all sides of the House and certainly from the Fianna Fáil benches we want to tell him there are challenges to be faced. There is a need for legislation and I hope the Minister will introduce it. I also hope he will pay particular attention to co-operation with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, in respect of MABS. In his speech the Minister of State placed particular emphasis on the need to support that money advice service. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service has offices throughout the country, including in Tallaght. A few weeks ago, I took the opportunity to bring the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, to see the good work being carried out there.

With the economy being challenged, very difficult times ahead and people losing their jobs there is a so-called new poor. People will say the poor were always with us but there now a new poor. As I go about my business throughout my constituency in Dublin South West, on the doorsteps in Tallaght and elsewhere people are telling me that for the first time they have to deal with these difficulties. For the first time they are out of work. For the first time they are facing the difficulties that fall under the remit of the Bill.

I look forward to supporting the Government's approach on the Bill. However, the Minister should take account of the concerns being expressed on all sides. Deputy Charles Flanagan has initiated a very important debate and I hope we would all continue to support that. I look forward to doing that. I hope to be back in the House at 8.30 p.m. to vote. Meanwhile I will spend some time with my Tallaght friends and also my little granddaughter who is watching.

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