Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This legislation is a good start and it is vital we treat white-collar crime with the same seriousness as any other form of crime. It has an enormous impact and its victims are all of us in many respects but at times particular groups or individuals are affected. It is vital for people to be prosecuted and fined in the correct way, and there should be sufficient resources. That is a question we must return to in properly resourcing the ODCE. That must be done and I am not convinced there are adequate resources there currently.

The legislation provides for maximum fines of up to €10 million or 10% of total worldwide turnover, which I welcome. It reflects the kind of penalties we have long needed. The point has been well made that perhaps this would not be happening if there had not been a European directive on this, and that is very likely true. There is the related question of insurance and if there had not been investigations into anticompetitive practices at a European level, I wonder if we would see much movement at all from the Government. To be frank, we are not seeing enough movement but would we see any movement at all otherwise in tackling the outrageous practices of the motor insurance industry?

On the matter of competition, we should realise that competition has limits despite being able to play a role. Competition is not going to fix a housing system that is completely broken or resolve issues where public services and goods are at the centre. This is where the State must play a crucial role. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Sean Fleming, has correctly apologised for his remarks because shopping around is no answer when there are not enough houses or childcare is an extortionate cost everywhere because the State does not subsidise it. Shopping around is no answer to people being beggared from GP fees, inpatient fees and all the costs associated with childcare. Shopping around is no answer when parents feel the burden of costs from voluntary contributions, buying schoolbooks and everything that comes around each summer.

All these matters come down to public services not being properly funded. It is a major issue. There are other concerns, including inflation and energy costs. One of the biggest issues in the cost-of-living crisis in the State is that we have not properly funded our public services and the State constantly has to come back to parents and families, having to charge too much. That may be inpatient fees, GP services or other healthcare that we believe should be free at the point of access. It may be additional costs for primary or secondary schools or the fact it is often like a second mortgage or more to pay for childcare. That is not to mind the crazy rents we are seeing of €1,500 or €1,600 in Cork. People are absolutely crucified. The Bill is welcome and I hope it deals with the issues but competition and shopping around will not solve everything.

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