Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Notwithstanding Senator Norris's remarks on the long gestation of the Bill, it is good the legislation is before the House. I remind Senator Ó Donnghaile of the import of what he suggested regarding Apple. The Government and Apple have appealed the decision of the European Commission in 2016. Apple will pay money into an escrow account which will be held on behalf of the Government. Apple and the Government are challenging the Commission's ruling in this matter. The language we use in discussing such matters is important.

People were driven cracked and daft by the failure to hold anyone in the corporate world to account for the collapse of the banking sector, despite numerous inquiries and decisions by the Office of Corporate Enforcement to take cases. While we must accept the decisions of juries of our peers in these cases, people also want accountability and it drove them berserk that no one was held to account. There is a perception among some that we are soft on white collar crime and wrongdoing in the corporate world. I hope this perception will change as a consequence of this legislation.

I will not prolong the debate as I understand the Minister is scheduled to attend another event. He is a reforming Minister and I do not mind that it has taken so long to reach this point. This Bill demonstrates his bona fides and the Government's commitment. Methinks those who complain about the time taken to reach this point protest too much on the grounds that, as the Minister stated, the Bill consolidates seven anti-corruption Acts introduced since 1889.

This is a great day's work on which I commend the Minister whom I have always found to be reforming and supportive and positive on many issues. To digress for a moment, his speech on the Civil Partnership Bill in the Dáil was a landmark moment. This Bill is another landmark for him and the Government.

We must make abundantly clear that we are collectively committed to tackling white collar crime. The package of measures the Minister has announced is a significant demonstration of the Government's intent in this regard.

Senator Norris referred to politicians being exempt from certain provisions of the Bill. I hope everyone will be held to account in the same way. I commend the Minister on his work in the Department.