Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome. It was a delight to listen to the range of views expressed. As Senator Paul Coghlan said, there were 400 amendments in the other House. We will probably only have 200 or 300 amendments when the Minister comes back to us on Committee Stage.

While I will propose a number of amendments on Committee Stage, I welcome the Government's efforts in this area. The Bill has the overall purpose of making company law simpler and, consequently, it will be easier for businesses to operate. I also hope it will set the conditions so that more foreign companies are encouraged to relocate here to do business.

I wish to raise a few issues which this Bill could incorporate concerning overall conditions for business, as well as some technical matters. First, I think the Bill should clear up the term "accountant" once and for all in order to provide better protection both for individual and business customers. The fact is that we do not have legislation regulating accountants. I am not sure if that would also include turf accountants, but certainly accountants in general.