Dáil debates

Friday, 14 July 2017

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages

 

1:20 pm

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Government for co-operating with me during the passage of the legislation. My Private Member's Bill has provided an impetus and put a bit of energy behind the Government pursuing this legislation. At its core, the legislation is about the merger of two offices, the Ombudsman's office and the Pensions Ombudsman's office. Crucially for the consumer, the measures in the Sinn Féin Private Member's Bill are replicated in full in this legislation. It will give greater consumer protection to those who have been locked out of the system as a result of the six-year rule. When we pass my legislation in a couple of minutes, thousands of people will be able to access justice as a result. If this legislation passes all Stages of the Seanad, I will be happy that when it repeals the provisions in my Bill, it will insert the provisions into this. I am glad of that and thank the Government for its support. It is important to say that the core element in this Bill is the six-year rule. Not only is it contained in my Private Member's Bill but Deputy McGrath had a similar Bill on it. It is something on which there is cross-party support and it is crucial we have it through before the end of this term.

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