Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in paying tribute to Donncha Ó Dúlaing. One of my good friends, Kathleen Goff, used to send requests to his programme regularly on my behalf and mention my name until the producers wised up to the fact that I was a local politician. Before that, I was delighted to hear my name mentioned on the programme on a regular basis. Mr. Ó Dúlaing is a fantastic broadcaster and a great person. I had an opportunity to meet him when he came to County Meath on one of his sponsored walks.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that motion 14 which proposes that Seanad Éireann support a one-year bankruptcy term and an end to the bank's veto in the personal insolvency process be taken today. This is an issue, unfortunately, that is apparently being debated behind closed doors. A majority of the Oireachtas - certainly, a majority of the Seanad - would support the motion which is about introducing a level of fairness in the personal insolvency process. There are two parts to it, namely, a proposal to reduce the bankruptcy discharge period to one year, thereby helping to prevent bankruptcy tourism, and, second, a proposal to end the ability of the banks to veto proposals. The Government has given indications of late that it may abolish or restrict that veto. However, the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, denied that there was any such veto contained in the legislation. We are not allowed to use the word "lie", but that is what he told us and the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance said the same. We pointed out at the time that the banks would have a veto, but it is only now that the Government is acknowledging it. There were complete and utter untruths told in both Houses by senior Ministers and we must show them for what they were. Seanad Éireann should be very strong in seeking a one-year bankruptcy term and an end to the banks' veto, the existence of which the Government has finally acknowledged. It thought it would get away with putting it in the legislation, but that has not happened because the banks are running riot and preventing people from securing fair deal. Let us pass the motion and thereby send a strong message to the Government and the banks, a message which reflects the majority view in both Houses.