Conduct of court-ordered repossessions
John McGuinness clarifies that Deputies were concerned about protecting residents during nighttime repossessions and urges such operations to occur during normal hours. The Taoiseach agrees they should be conducted at an appropriate time.
On a point of clarification, the matters raised by Deputies Ó Fearghaíl and Mattie McGrath are in the context of gardaí protecting the other citizens who were not involved on that night and the deep concern that has been expressed by them that they would be exposed to such thuggery and activity. In the legislation quoted by the Deputies, perhaps the Government might consider that these matters, in terms of acting on court orders, should be conducted during normal business hours during the day, not under the cover of darkness.
Comment on this
Nobody wants to see that happening. That was the issue that was raised by the community and by the Oireachtas Members who were present at that public meeting.
On a second issue, on the discussion that the Government seems to be having about promised legislation in the area of bankruptcy and in the context of the spring statement, is it the Taoiseach's intention to bring forward legislation to reduce the period of bankruptcy from three years to one year? Will the legislation amend some other matters in relation to bankruptcy and insolvency for individuals to give them a reasonable time span of one year and enable them to get back actively in the economy again?
I raised the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996 on the Order of Business previously. Commercial vehicle body builders are encountering serious difficulty getting clearances through the National Standards Authority of Ireland and I ask the Taoiseach to intervene again. Something must be done in relation to staffing levels in the authority and the clearing of certificates that are necessary to sell on the vehicles. It is causing difficulty for that sector.