Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo everything that has been said by my colleagues. Mr. Joseph Spooner of the Law Reform Commission estimates that between 1995 and 2009 the ratio of household debt to income increased from 48% to 176%. This is significant and necessary social legislation, which will make a contribution towards putting together the pieces and improving the country following a series of financial disasters. It replaces bankruptcy with conciliation and arbitration. I thank the Minister for his patience and compliment him on his erudition. Senators are indebted to him for the tutorials he provided, which have substantially improved my knowledge. I wish him well in the Dáil with the amended Bill.