Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of debt forgiveness. The comments yesterday of the former Minister, Ray MacSharry, at a committee of the Houses was nothing short of shocking. He stated that in Permanent TSB there would be no debt forgiveness after the three year period of bankruptcy. This was an outrageous statement. It is hard to understand how he could not understand the legislation, being a former Minister for Finance, but one must wonder if he does understand it and its intent. I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House in the new year to discuss this problem. I do not know whether other institutions will buy into this thinking, as there is some disagreement. However, we need to debate the issue in full. If the legislation we have worked through in recent months needs to be further bolstered, this should be done at the earliest possible opportunity.