Hayes: Govt not dragging its heels on personal insolvency legislation

Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes has insisted that new laws on personal insolvency are a "complete priority" for the Government.

His comments follow confirmation that the publication of the legislation has been delayed until the end of June, even though the original target date was to have been the end of this month.

A range of voluntary debt settlement systems are outlined in the draft version of the laws, as well as a plan to cut the period of bankruptcy from 12 years to three.

Junior Minister Hayes insisted the Governement is focused on the issue.

"If it was as simple as clicking your fingers it would be done," he said.

"There is a complete priority on this issue from the Minister of Justice.

"The target is June of this year - I'm confident we can achieve that and get it up and running as soon as possible."