Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the good news that the Minister for Justice and Equality this afternoon signed the package of bankruptcy reforms that will put into effect the new provisions on bankruptcy contained in the Personal Insolvency Act. People will be capable of automatic discharge from bankruptcy after three years instead of 12 years. We all acknowledge that this will make a significant difference to many of those struggling with debt burdens. This morning, someone who described herself as being one of the first people most likely to avail of the new provisions stated that it was like a weight lifting from her shoulders when she heard of the new measures. I am delighted that the measures have finally been commenced.

I call on the Leader for a debate on white collar crime in light of yesterday's sentencing in the Thomas Byrne case. It was the largest fraud trial prosecuted in the history of the State and raised a number of general questions about the nature of white collar crime and its prosecution and detection. There are also questions of whistleblower protection. Happily, we now have whistleblower protection laws. The fraud and its scale only came to light as a result of brave action by a whistleblower within the firm. The Law Society is dealing with some of the questions arising from the case. I ask for a debate on this issue in the new year.

Disclosures in recent days have given rise to questions about the regulation of charities. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this matter in the new year? In the Labour Party's Private Members' time some months ago, we initiated a debate on the implementation of the 2009 charities legislation. I am delighted that the Minister has announced that the charities regulatory authority will be put in place, at least in an initial format, in the first half of next year, but I would like a debate in the early days of the new year in order to hear directly from the Minister about what he is proposing for the regulation of charities, which is clearly long overdue.