Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join with others in congratulating those involved in putting together today's address. It was an historic day for the House and a sign of what can be done in the future. I would agree with Senator Leyden's suggestion that leaders of some of the other organisations, particularly from a religious perspective, be invited here in the interests of balance and following on from the lead shown by Senator McAleese and the Leader in bringing forward today's address. It was a good beginning.

Senator Quinn mentioned that Tourism Ireland and the topic of tourism in the context of the Northern question are a significant vehicle. It would be remiss not to mention the Rally Ireland project. A North-South co-operation very much from both traditions, the theme of those events when they started in 2009 was, "Hands Across the Divide". It proved to be a winning formula in sports tourism and I am sure, as we heard from the Grand Secretary of the lodge today, and as Senator Quinn and others agreed, it can form the basis of part of the answer to the economic challenges posed to us.

I welcome the fact that today we will debate some elements of the Personal Insolvency Bill and hope that the Bill can be brought to this House as quickly as possible. As one of the many Senators who raised this issue up to three and a half years ago, I am most disappointed to see the main crux of the legislation holding a veto for the financial institutions. It is like saying to the kidnappers that the law now states they must release the hostages if they choose to. It is ridiculous in the extreme that legislation that has involved so much work, with the heads of the Bill being worked on by the committee and the Department officials, enshrines the hand of the financial institutions rather than of an independent person or people's representative. That is gravely regrettable. I hope that can be rectified on Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann in advance of coming to this House. I fear that the Bill, if it is to be maintained as is outlined in the Dáil, only enshrines the powers that the banks have rather than puts the people of the country front and centre, which is what is required in this crisis.