This day last week, Thursday, 12 November, the Tánaiste gave an unequivocal undertaking in answer to Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl that legislation providing for a bankruptcy discharge period of one year will be enacted and operational before Christmas. The day before, Wednesday, 11 November, the Taoiseach gave the same undertaking in answer to Deputy Micheál Martin. When I too asked the Tánaiste about it last Thursday, she reiterated an unequivocal undertaking - not a promise but a beyond-doubt undertaking - that the Government will enact one-year bankruptcy legislation and have it signed off by ministerial order, or whatever it takes to have it operational, before Christmas. There are 12 working days left before the recess. To use the Tánaiste's own word, what mechanisms has the Government put in place since last Thursday to make sure this is done before Christmas?

The Minister for Justice and Equality has to bring the report she received from the committee to Cabinet. I anticipate the passage of legislation will then proceed as quickly as possible. I certainly want to see it done before Christmas.

That is not good enough. The Tánaiste is letting down the people of this country with this back-tracking.