Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With new technology and more sophisticated economic crime, it is more important than ever that we have a well-resourced, stand-alone agency to identify those who are non-compliant with company law. We have seen how intricate and complex some of these breaches can be and how hard it is to secure prosecutions. As a statutorily independent agency, the corporate enforcement authority will have more autonomy to recruit the specialist staff it needs.

This legislation has been a priority of this and previous Governments. I recognise that many Deputies across the divide are supportive of action, having scrutinised the Bill on two occasions. I look forward to hearing from Deputies in the coming days and to working with Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to enact this important legislation. I think we can all agree that this is a worthwhile project that has been in the pipeline for too long. I want to see the new authority established at the earliest opportunity and to work on supporting it as it continues the important work the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement now undertakes. I commend the Bill to the House.

I thank the Acting Chairman for his latitude.

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