Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

It seems to me from the Taoiseach's reply that the banks are playing Molly Bawn with him. His response is incredible: "We have had face to face meetings. We have established a special sub-committee." Nothing has happened. The Taoiseach's response is to suggest that the personal insolvency Bill will commence in the autumn. It will not pass through the House this session and we are looking at the autumn session before it passes through the House. The Bill will have to be commenced, implemented and regulations made, which means we are talking about Christmas time before it will have any impact, if we are lucky, in terms of legislative solutions that will emanate from the House. I am absolutely correct to say there is a chronic lack of activity or sense of urgency.

The Taoiseach has identified this issue as the biggest social problem. Along with unemployment, it is clearly the biggest economic and social challenge facing the country. However, I do see there is any sense of urgency with regard to the personal insolvency Bill in terms of reflecting the scale of the problem as described by the Taoiseach.

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