Seanad debates

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Eugene ReganEugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Senator Bacik raised a point regarding negative consequences. The Minister of State, in his contribution on Second Stage, specifically referred to the large number of applications for enforcement orders and so forth and the small number of people who turn up in court. People faced with enormous debt are in over their heads and do not know what to do. When they receive a summons containing negative information outlining harsh consequences, it is understandable that many of them bury their heads in the sand and do not show up in court. This is borne out by the facts cited by the Minister of State in that they fail to show up in court and run away from the problem because they consider it insurmountable in the circumstances.

Senator Bacik's amendment proposes that debtors be offered some light by informing them in the summons that if they come to court and explain the circumstances giving rise to the debt problem, the order may be varied. The amendment is very good and the more we discuss it, the more it recommends itself to the Government.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.