Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to introduce legislation to amend the personal insolvency legislation in line with recommendations arising from the section 141 consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4660/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to the detail of my answer to his parliamentary question on this matter in March of this year. In addition, my Department is currently engaged in preparatory work for two sets of legislative changes which are relevant to the Deputy’s question.

Firstly, my officials are considering certain specific formal or procedural statutory requirements which may be difficult or impracticable to comply with due to COVID-19 restrictions, including a small number of requirements under the Personal Insolvency Acts. Subject to Government formation and to reconstitution of both Houses of the Oireachtas, the intention is to bring forward for Government approval, a short urgent Bill, in order to make any necessary amendments as soon as possible.

Secondly, as the Deputy is aware, my officials are already working to complete the major statutory review of the Personal Insolvency Acts, following the earlier public consultation already held, and now, in addition, to ensure that this review will also take full account of the latest developments and particularly, the significant economic effects of the Covid-19 outbreak.

I expect the review report to be finalised by September, following further consultations with the Department of Finance, as required by s. 141 of the Acts, and with the Office of the Attorney General. That timetable, as the Deputy will appreciate, is of course subject to the legislative priorities that will be decided in the new Programme for Government.