Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive outlining of the legislation. I am happy to see the legislation before the House. It is right, proper and prudent that we strengthen the current legislation. I am also pleased that Fine Gael is doing something on this issue because the programme for Government in 2011 contained a promise to do so and like many things contained in that programme for Government, we did not see any delivery on it. Therefore, I am pleased the Bill is before the House.

The Bill is based on a general scheme which was published in 2012 and approved by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in 2013 so it is to be welcomed that Fine Gael is finally acting on its promise. For far too long there was no political will to do anything about white collar crime. I can pre-empt what my good friend, Senator Conway, will say. He will throw some shade at Fianna Fáil and add some comments about Fianna Fáil being corrupt and refer to the Mahon tribunal.