Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I also support the call made by Senator Boyle for a debate on the Competition Authority, its effectiveness and the restructuring that might be required. The authority is slow to deal with certain issues and to target certain areas. Equally, there is an onus on Government when it focuses on important areas like the legal profession to take effective action. I am more than slightly disappointed that the new proposals coming forward are not for a completely independent and overarching body to oversee barristers and solicitors. Many serious issues have arisen in recent times in this regard.

In respect of the comments made about the Director of Corporate Enforcement, it would be timely to have a debate on this. Without doubt, there should be good ethical standards in corporate governance in the private sector as well as in the public sector. There have been reports recently that the director has been using the office to encourage examiners and liquidators to take action against directors, possibly against the wishes of those people. That responsibility rests with the director and should not be delegated to others who have a duty to perform in respect of examinership and liquidations. Given the economic climate, there will be a need for those people to operate effectively with the brief and remit they have.