Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

We will not have blanket forgiveness. Deputy Martin has deliberately misconstrued the scale and complexity of introducing what is probably one of the most complex pieces of legislation, the personal insolvency Bill. I assure the Deputy that the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Finance have worked day and night to put this legislation together. It is an opportunity for a non-judicial recourse to sorting out serious problems of borrowers. It is far too easy to say nothing is being done. Following significant focus on it and a great deal of time and attention from the Office of the Attorney General, I expect that legislation to be published in June. I have no problem with sitting right through the summer to put this legislation through. If the Seanad has to sit specifically for that purpose, then so be it. I would like to see it implemented now, but it has been a very complex, tortuous journey. The Bill will be published at that end of June. Let us start that process, either in the Dáil or Seanad, as one element of the legislation this year.

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