Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In fairness, I believe this amendment is an attempt to get some common sense into the way the Bill is to be read. If it is left in the hands of what could be an egregious debt resolution process to discuss an engagement ring or a wedding ring, one does not know what a creditor may wish to pursue in the course of that negotiation. We know that engagement rings do not cost €300 or €400; we are getting into thousands of euro in real terms. Unfortunately, those are the societal demands and expectations, so what value can one put on an engagement ring? One could explicitly say - and the way it is worded is spot on - that it is of ceremonial importance. Nobody wants anyone to lose their engagement ring or wedding ring, which is a treasured possession of a family. I urge the Minister to find some way whereby a creditor is not given licence to go after somebody's engagement ring or wedding ring. It is humiliating to have such a valued possession taken from a family.

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