Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the clarification provided by the Minister of State. As I, like Senator Twomey, have not read the Bankruptcy Act recently, I am not in a position to interpret it. Legislation should be drafted in the simplest and most understandable manner possible. Perhaps the Minister will consider inserting a reference to the Bankruptcy Act to qualify the literal interpretation of the current wording. While I am not a lawyer and do not know whether such a step is legally necessary, as the Minister of State acknowledged, the current wording gave rise to concerns in both Houses. The use of phraseology that is not simply understood allows the legal profession to charge exorbitant fees.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Section 17 agreed to.

SECTION 18.