I would like to support the Tánaiste's colleague, Deputy Willie Penrose, and ask the Government to take a leaf out of his pragmatic, intelligent approach apropos of proposed legislation that bankruptcy should be all tidied up within a year.

I thank the Deputy.

I explained to the Taoiseach when he said there are credit unions and smaller suppliers to people who are bankrupt and three years is needed to tidy it up, that that is like saying somebody is only a little bit dead. When one is bankrupt, one is bankrupt and it means one tidies it all up faster.

I call on the Tánaiste to respond.

The Tánaiste is a chartered accountant and she should know this.

I am delighted to hear the Deputy has such confidence in chartered accountants and in accountants generally. I am not sure everybody else in the House would have that confidence.

The Tánaiste should speak for herself.

In relation to Deputy Willie Penrose's valuable legislation in respect of the bankruptcy period, that legislation will be examined in some depth by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. The Deputy will be aware that in terms of the measures announced yesterday we will shortly have legislation on an examinership process in respect of people who are at risk in terms of their family home and a deal with the bank. Given the Deputy's experience as an accountant of many years' standing he will be aware that the examinership process should be in a position to help couples seriously to reach a sustainable agreement to ensure they can stay in their homes.