Brendan Howlin urges coalition to back bankruptcy rule

A Labour minister has urged the Coalition to back plans to reduce bankruptcy rules from three years to one in a bid to stop people skipping the country to “avail of more favourable” terms in the UK.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin issued the call for action amid an ongoing row within Government circles over Fine Gael concerns that the proposals could lead to a rise in repossessions.

Speaking at the launch of a €27m redevelopment plan for Kevin Street Garda Station in Dublin, Mr Howlin said it is essential that bankruptcy rules are changed to address a problem in the system.