Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)

Ar an gcéad dul síos, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Dlí agus Cirt atá istigh sa Seanad inniu chun an t-ábhar seo a mhíniú agus a phlé linn. Gabhaim buíochas leis as an méid sin a dhéanamh.

I thank the Minister for his opening statement clarifying the advantages to accepting the proposal before us today. As the Minister outlined, the proposal relates to technical updates to Protocol 21 arising from new insolvency proceedings, new insolvency practitioners and changes to national insolvency law in seven member states of the European Union, including Slovakia, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain. The mutual recognition and enforcement of insolvency proceedings among EU member states is critical and just another example of the co-operation that is required. The primary focus of this is on institutions and companies, but we have seen the extent to which people have engaged in bankruptcy tourism, whereby they seek to receive preferential treatment in one member state over another. This needs to be looked at and fine-tuned.

From a Fine Gael perspective, I welcome the recommendation proposed by the Minister of Justice. I am also heartened to see the co-operation between the Minister and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, on the matter. We will support the proposal.