Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail)

The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. I thank him for that comprehensive overview of what is proposed. From our internal party discussions and the utterances of the Minister for Justice, the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Chambers, and indeed the Taoiseach, I note we are very focused in government on improving agility within the business community here and competitiveness in a European context. We took very seriously the recommendations from the Draghi report of last summer. Again, it is a small technical step but it is one in aligning ourselves with, and ensuring greater cohesion across, member states.

Insolvency, while regrettable, is an outcome for a certain proportion of businesses every year. We must, as other Senators have mentioned, do everything we can to ensure it is dealt with as smoothly as possible and that those impacted by it are supported as much as possible. This is why I would like to commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary, on bringing forward the new jobseeker's pay-related benefit schemes earlier this year to ensure those who have been employed in the SME sector, as many in the workforce are, and who are impacted by insolvency are adequately compensated and supported at a level appropriate to what their outgoings may be over a period on a declining basis. This is at a time when such people are trying to get themselves back together and apply for further employment or, indeed, making the brave decision to start their own business.

I thank the Minister for his time and bringing forward this important motion.