Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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149. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend existing bankruptcy legislation in order that a person may be discharged from bankruptcy one year after the order of adjudication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35539/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a proposal to reduce the bankruptcy period to one year is contained in a Private Members Bill published by Deputy Willie Penrose earlier this year.

At my request, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality considered the general question of bankruptcy reform and reported to me on 8 July on the matter. It recommended,inter alia, a 1 year bankruptcy term.

The Joint Committee's report is at present under examination in my Department, and I intend to bring the matter to Government in due course. Over this period I and my Department havebeen concentrating on putting into place a range of measures regarding the Government Action Plan on support to borrowers in Mortgage Arrears, including the enactment and entry into force of the Personal Insolvency Amendment Act 2015.