Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputies Joe Carey, Jerry Buttimer, Ann Phelan and Dominic Hannigan.

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a gabháil don Ceann Comhairle as ucht an deis labhairt ar an ábhar tabhachtach seo. Is ábhar tabhachtach é agus níl dabht ar bith ach go bhfuil suim faoi leith ag alán daoine i gcursaí atá á phlé again anseo inniu.

As a newly elected Deputy, it is heartening that the Bill has been introduced, as it addresses a pressing issue for many of my constituents who are anxious that white collar crime be addressed by their Government. I compliment the Minister on the priority he has afforded this topic. The fact that he has brought the legislation before the House in the first 60 days of the Government is testament to the importance he attaches to the subject. This is an example of a proactive Parliament which is relevant and in tune with the wishes of the citizens. I, along with Members and many other candidates, encountered an electorate in the challenging recent election who were exceptionally interested and keen to engage with us as we canvassed on the doorsteps.

This reform is long overdue and has been brought about by the people themselves. Principal among the emotions expressed by the people I canvassed in west Cork were anger and frustration. They are obviously hurting and many are in severe financial distress. Irrespective of the people's financial disposition and background, one common thread permeated all those who engaged me on the doorsteps and that was a desire to see justice being done in regard to those responsible for the financial crisis that has ruined our country. In such matters it is vital that not only must justice be done, but it must also be seen to be done. Nothing less will appease the genuine good and God fearing citizens of the State.

Responsibility is not transient by nature. It does not come and go but remains constant. The people who perpetrated financial crimes that led to or exacerbated the financial crisis that has ruined our economy are as guilty today as they were at any point during the past decade. As a Parliament, at the very least we owe it to the citizens of this country to introduce the measures proposed in the Bill to deal with white collar crime head-on.

A particular source of annoyance to the electorate I represent in Cork South-West, as does the Acting Chairman, Deputy Michael McCarthy, is how poorly we fare when comparisons are drawn between this State and the UK or the United States when it comes to dealing with white collar crime. From a cursory glance at headlines both in the UK and in the United States in recent years, it is clear that those countries are very well advanced when it comes to prosecuting white collar criminals. That only serves to further increase the annoyance and irritation felt by Irish citizens whose patience has run out with the failure of the State to deal with such matters.

It is clear from the reading of this Bill that there are several complex and difficult aspects to introducing this legislation particularly where it relates to white collar crime. I wish the Minister and the House every success in the passage of the Bill.

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