Asset Covered Securities Act 2001	2001, No. 47
Bankruptcy Act 1988	1988, No. 27
Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010	2010, No. 24
Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993	1993, No. 8
Consumer Credit Act 1995	1995, No. 24
Courts Act 1973	1973, No. 26
Courts Act 1977	1977, No. 11
Courts and Court Officers Act 1995	1995, No. 31
Courts and Court Officers Act 2002	2002, No. 15
Courts and Court Officers Act 2009	2009, No. 36
Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961	1961, No. 39
Courts of Justice Act 1924	1924, No. 10
Courts of Justice Act 1947	1947, No. 25
Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961	1961, No 39
Credit Union Act 1997	1997, No. 15
Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003
Deeds of Arrangement Act 1887	50 & 51 Vict. c. 57
Family Home Protection Act 1976	1976, No. 27
Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976	1976, No. 11
Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Act 2011	2011, No. 39
Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003
Law Reform Commission Act 1975	1975, No. 3
Local Government (Charges) Act 2009	2009, No. 30
Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011	2011, No. 36
Local Government Act 2001	2001, No. 37
Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011	2011, No. 2
Netting of Financial Contracts Act 1995	1995, No. 25
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009	2009, No. 15
Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996 and 2005
Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011	2011, No. 40
Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004	2004, No. 3
Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004	2004, No. 7
Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005	2005, No. 26
Statistics Act 1993	1993, No. 21
Statute of Limitations 1957	1957, No. 6
Statutory Declarations Act 1938	1938, No. 37
Taxes Consolidation Act 1997	1997, No. 39

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Number 44 of 2012

PERSONAL INSOLVENCY ACT 2012

AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO INSOLVENCY, TO AMEND THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1988, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONS OF A BODY TO BE KNOWN AS SEIRBHÍS DÓCMHAINNEACHTA NA hÉIREANN OR, IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, THE INSOLVENCY SERVICE OF IRELAND, AND, IN PARTICULAR, IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMON GOOD (INCLUDING THE STABILITY OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE)AND HAVING REGARD TO THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES—

(a)THE NEED TO AMELIORATE THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY DEBTORS IN DISCHARGING THEIR INDEBTEDNESS DUE TO INSOLVENCY AND THEREBY LESSEN THE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE STATE,

(b)THE NEED TO ENABLE CREDITORS TO RECOVER DEBTS DUE TO THEM BY INSOLVENT DEBTORS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE MEANS OF THOSE DEBTORS REASONABLY PERMITS, IN AN ORDERLY AND RATIONAL MANNER, AND

(c)THE NEED TO ENABLE INSOLVENT DEBTORS TO RESOLVE THEIR INDEBTEDNESS (INCLUDING BY DETERMINING THAT DEBTS STAND DISCHARGED IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES) IN AN ORDERLY AND RATIONAL MANNER WITHOUT RECOURSE TO BANKRUPTCY, AND TO THEREBY FACILITATE THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF SUCH PERSONS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE STATE,

TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL MECHANISMS AND ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO INSOLVENCY TO FACILITATE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE OBJECTIVES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT, FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND JURISDICTION OF NEW JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT TO BE STYLED SPECIALIST JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND, FOR THAT PURPOSE, TO AMEND THE COURTS (ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION) ACT 1961 AND THE COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT 1961 AND CERTAIN OTHER ENACTMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION, SUPERVISION AND DISCIPLINE OF PERSONAL INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONERS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR CONNECTED MATTERS.

[26th December, 2012]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:

PART 1

Preliminary and General

Short title and commencement.

1.— (1) This Act may be cited as the Personal Insolvency Act 2012.

(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be fixed by order or orders made by the Minister, either generally or by reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions.

Interpretation.

2.— (1) In this Act—

“appropriate court” shall be construed in accordance with section 5 ;

“bankruptcy” shall be construed in accordance with the Bankruptcy Act 1988 ;

“bankruptcy payment order” means an order made pursuant to section 85D of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 ;

“civil partner”, in relation to a person, means a civil partner within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 but does not include a civil partner who is living separately from the person;

“connected person”, in relation to a person, shall be construed in accordance with subsection (2);

“creditor”, in relation to a debt, means a natural or legal person to whom a debtor owes that debt or to whom the debtor otherwise has a liability in respect of that debt;

“debtor”, in relation to a debt, means a natural person who—

(a) owes a debt to a creditor, or

(b) otherwise has a liability to a creditor;

“Debt Settlement Arrangement” means—

(a) an arrangement entered into by a debtor, or

(b) an arrangement for which a proposal is made,

under Chapter 3 of Part 3 ;

“domestic support order” means—

(a) an order which is an antecedent order for the purposes of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976 ,

(b) an order which by virtue of any statutory provision is enforceable in the State as if it were an antecedent order under the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976 ,

(c) an order which is an antecedent order within the meaning of section 43 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 , and

(d) an order which is an antecedent order for the purposes of sections 176 to 186 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 ;

“electronic means” includes electrical, digital, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, biometric and photonic means of transmission of data and other forms of related technology by means of which data is transmitted;

“establishment day” means the day appointed under section 7 ;

“excludable debt”, in relation to a debtor, means any:

(a) liability of the debtor arising out of any tax, duty, levy or other charge of a similar nature owed or payable to the State;

(b) amount payable by the debtor under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 ;

(d) liability of the debtor arising out of any rates due to the local authority (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001 );

(e) debt or liability of the debtor in respect of moneys advanced to the debtor by the Health Service Executive under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 ;

(f) debt due by the debtor to any owners’ management company in respect of annual service charges under section 18 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 or contributions due under section 19 of that Act;

(g) debt or liability of the debtor arising under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 ;

“excluded debt”, in relation to a debtor, means any:

(a) liability of the debtor arising out of a domestic support order;

(b) liability of the debtor arising out of damages awarded by a court (or another competent authority) in respect of personal injuries or wrongful death arising from the tort of the debtor;

(c) debt or liability of the debtor arising from a loan (or forbearance of a loan) obtained through fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or fraudulent breach of trust;

(d) debt or liability of the debtor arising by virtue of a court order made under the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996 and 2005 or by virtue of a fine ordered to be paid by a court in respect of a criminal offence;

“insolvency arrangement” means a Debt Relief Notice, Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement;

“Insolvency Service” means the Insolvency Service of Ireland established by section 8 ;

“insolvent”, in relation to a debtor, shall be construed as meaning that the debtor is unable to pay his or her debts in full as they fall due;

“Minister” means the Minister for Justice and Equality;

“personal data” has the meaning it has in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003;

“Personal Insolvency Arrangement” means—

(a) an arrangement entered into by a debtor, or

(b) an arrangement for which a proposal is made,

under Chapter 4 of Part 3 ;

“personal insolvency practitioner” means a person authorised under Part 5 to act as a personal insolvency practitioner;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under section 3 ;

“principal private residence” means a dwelling in which the debtor ordinarily resides and includes—

(a) any building or structure, or

(b) any vehicle or vessel (whether mobile or not),

together with any garden or portion of ground attached to and occupied with the dwelling or otherwise required for the amenity or convenience of the dwelling;

“protective certificate” means a certificate issued by the appropriate court pursuant to Chapter 3 or Chapter 4 of Part 3 ;

“relative”, in relation to a person, means a brother, sister, parent, spouse or civil partner of the person or a child of the person or of the spouse or civil partner;

“relevant pension arrangement” means:

(a) a retirement benefits scheme, within the meaning of section 771 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , for the time being approved by the Revenue Commissioners for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 30 of that Act;

(b) an annuity contract or a trust scheme or part of a trust scheme for the time being approved by the Revenue Commissioners under section 784 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 ;

(c) a PRSA contract, within the meaning of section 787A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , in respect of a PRSA product, within the meaning of that section;

(d) a qualifying overseas pension plan within the meaning of section 787M of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 ;

(e) a public service pension scheme within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 ;

(f) a statutory scheme, within the meaning of section 770 (1) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , other than a public service pension scheme referred to in paragraph (e);

(g) such other pension arrangement as may be prescribed by the Minister, following consultation with the Ministers for Finance, Social Protection and Public Expenditure and Reform;

“secured creditor”, in relation to a debt, means a creditor of the debtor who holds, in respect of his or her debt, security (other than a guarantee or pledge referred to in section 35(8) of the Credit Union Act 1997 ) in or over property of the debtor;

“secured debt” means a debt the payment for which is secured by security in or over any asset or property of any kind;

“security” means, in relation to a debt, any means of securing payment of the debt and includes—

(a) a mortgage, judgment mortgage, charge, lien, pledge, hypothecation or other security interest or encumbrance or collateral in or over any property (whether real or personal and including choses-in-action),

(b) an assignment by way of security, and

“solvent”, with respect to a debtor, means that the debtor is not insolvent;

“specified creditor”, in relation to a protective certificate, means a person specified in a protective certificate as being the person to whom a particular debt is owed;

“specified debt”, in relation to a protective certificate, means a debt that is specified in that protective certificate as being subject to that certificate;

“spouse”, in relation to a person, does not include a spouse who is living separately from the person;

“unsecured creditor”, in relation to a debt, means any creditor who is not a secured creditor;

“unsecured debt” means a debt in respect of which payment is not secured by security.

(2) Any question whether a person is connected with another shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph (any provision that one person is connected with another person being taken to mean also that that other person is connected with the first-mentioned person):

(i) a person is connected with an individual if that person is a relative of the individual;

(ii) a person, in his or her capacity as a trustee of a trust, is connected with an individual who or any of whose children or as respects whom any body corporate which he or she controls is a beneficiary of the trust;

(iii) a person is connected with any person with whom he or she is in partnership;

(iv) a company is connected with another person if that person has control of it or if that person and persons connected with that person together have control of it;

(v) any two or more persons acting together to secure or exercise control of a company shall be treated in relation to that company as connected with one another and with any person acting on the directions of any of them to secure or exercise control of the company.

(3) In this Act a reference to an asset includes an interest in an asset and a reference to a liability includes an interest in a liability.

(4) For the purposes of sections 26 (2)(f)(i), 87 (g) and 120 (g), a debtor enters into a transaction with another person at an undervalue if he or she—

(a) makes a gift to, or otherwise enters into a transaction with, that other person on terms that provide for the debtor to receive no consideration, or

(b) enters into a transaction with that other person, the value of which, in money or money’s worth, is significantly greater than the value, in money or money’s worth, of the consideration provided by that other person.

(5) For the purposes of sections 26 (2)(f)(ii), 87 (h) and 120 (h), a debtor gives a preference to another person if—

(a) the other person is a creditor of the debtor to whom a debt (other than an excluded debt or an excludable debt) is owed, or is a surety or guarantor for any such debt, and

(b) the debtor does any thing (including the granting of security), or suffers any thing to be done, which has the effect of putting that other person into a position which, in the event that the insolvency arrangement concerned is issued or comes into effect, as the case may be, would be better than the position in which that other person would have been if that thing had not been done or suffered to be done.

Regulations and orders.

3.— (1) The Minister or, as the case may be, the Insolvency Service, may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.

(2) A regulation under this Act may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as the Minister or, as the case may be, the Insolvency Service, considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.

(3) Every regulation and order (other than an order referred to in section 1 (2)) made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

Expenses.

4.— The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

Appropriate court.

5.— (1) In this Act “appropriate court” means—

(a) where the application is made under Chapter 3 or 4 of Part 3 , and the total liabilities of a debtor determined on the basis of the Prescribed Financial Statement completed by the debtor concerned in respect of the application concerned are in excess of €2,500,000, the High Court, and

(b) in any other case, the Circuit Court.

(2) The performance of the functions, and the exercise of the powers and jurisdiction, conferred by this Act on the Circuit Court shall be within the jurisdiction of the circuit of the Circuit Court in which—

(a) the debtor to whom an application under this Act relates is residing at the time of the making of the application or has resided within one year of the time of the making of the application, or

(b) the debtor to whom the application relates has a place of business at the time of the making of the application or has had a place of business within one year of the time of the making of the application.

(3) An application to the Circuit Court under this Act may be made—

(a) in such office of, or attached to, the Circuit Court within the circuit concerned,

(b) in such combined court office (within the meaning of section 14 of the Courts and Court Officers Act 2009 ) within the circuit concerned, or

(c) in such office of the Courts Service, within the circuit concerned, designated by the Courts Service for the purpose of this Act,

as may be prescribed by rules of court.

Repeals.

6.— The enactments specified in the Schedule are repealed.

PART 2

Insolvency Service

Establishment day.

7.— The Minister shall, by order, appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.

Establishment of Insolvency Service.

8.— (1) On the establishment day there shall stand established a body to be known, in the English language, as the Insolvency Service of Ireland or, in the Irish language, as Seirbhís Dócmhainneachta na hÉireann to perform the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.

(2) The Insolvency Service shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

(3) The Insolvency Service shall—

(a) subject to this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions under this Act, and

(b) have all powers that are necessary or expedient for, or incidental to, the performance of those functions.

(4) The seal of the Insolvency Service may be authenticated by—

(a) the signature of the Director, and

(b) the signature of a member of the staff of the Insolvency Service authorised by the Director to act in that behalf.

(5) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Insolvency Service and, accordingly, every document—

(a) purporting to be a document made by the Insolvency Service, and

(b) purporting to be sealed with the seal of the Insolvency Service authenticated in accordance with subsection (4),

shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such document without further proof unless the contrary is proved.

(6) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, would not require to be under seal may be entered into or executed on behalf of the Insolvency Service by the Director or any person generally or specially authorised by the Director in that behalf.

Functions of Insolvency Service.

9.— (1) Subject to this Act, the principal functions of the Insolvency Service shall be to—

(a) monitor the operation of the arrangements relating to personal insolvency provided for in this Act,

(b) consider applications for Debt Relief Notices in accordance with Chapter 1 of Part 3 ,

(d) maintain the Registers established under section 133 ,

(e) provide information to the public on the working of this Act,

(f) advise the Minister on any matter relating to its functions,

(g) authorise persons to perform the functions of an approved intermediary under Chapter 1 of Part 3 ,

(h) in accordance with Part 5 —

(i) authorise individuals to carry on practice as personal insolvency practitioners,

(ii) supervise and regulate persons practising as personal insolvency practitioners,

(iii) perform such functions as are assigned to the Insolvency Service under that Part,

(i) prepare and issue guidelines as to what constitutes a reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses under section 23 ,

(j) arrange for the provision of such education and training, in relation to the performance by them of their functions under this Act, of approved intermediaries, personal insolvency practitioners and other persons, as it thinks fit,

(k) contribute to the development of policy in the area of personal insolvency, and

(l) carry out any other duties and exercise any other powers assigned to it by or under this Act.

(2) The Insolvency Service may disseminate, to such extent and in such manner as it considers appropriate, information relating to the services it provides under this Act.

(3) The Insolvency Service may, subject to this Act, do anything which it considers necessary or expedient to enable it to perform its functions.

(4) Any function of the Insolvency Service may, without prejudice to its general responsibilities under this Act, be performed through or by the Director or any member of its staff duly authorised in that behalf by the Director.

(5) The Director or a member of staff of the Insolvency Service who performs any of its functions is presumed in any proceedings to have been authorised by it to do so on its behalf, unless the contrary is shown.

Composition of Insolvency Service.

10.— The Insolvency Service shall consist of—

(a) the Director of the Insolvency Service appointed under section 11 , and

(b) such members of staff of the Insolvency Service appointed under this Part.

Director.

11.— (1) (a) There shall be a Director of the Insolvency Service who shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the “Director”.

(b) Subject to subsection (13), the Director shall hold office for such period, not exceeding 5 years from the date of his or her appointment under this section, as may be determined by the Minister.

(c) A person who has held office as Director shall be eligible for re-appointment but shall not hold office for periods the aggregate of which exceeds 10 years.

(2) Subject to subsections (12) and (13), the Director shall—

(a) be appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Director of the Public Appointments Service after a competition for that purpose under section 47 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 has been held on behalf of the Minister, and

(b) have the appropriate experience, qualifications, training and expertise for the appointment.

(3) The Director shall—

(a) manage and control generally the Insolvency Service’s staff, administration and business,

(b) be responsible to the Minister for the performance of his or her functions, and

(4) The Director may be removed or suspended from office by the Minister for stated reasons.

(5) The Director shall provide the Minister with such information, including financial information, in respect of the performance of the Director’s functions as the Minister may require.

(6) The Director shall not hold any other office or position in respect of which remuneration is payable, or carry on any business, trade or profession, without the approval of the Minister.

(7) Such of the functions of the Director as the Director may specify may, with the consent of the Minister, be performed by such member or members of the staff of the Insolvency Service as the Director may authorise for that purpose, and that member or those members of staff shall be accountable to the Director for the performance of the functions so delegated.

(8) The Director shall be accountable to the Minister for the performance of functions delegated by him or her in accordance with subsection (7).

(9) The Director may, with the consent of the Minister in writing, revoke a delegation made in accordance with this section.

(10) The functions referred to in subsection (7) do not include a function delegated by the Minister to the Director subject to a condition that the function shall not be delegated by the Director to anyone else.

(11) If the Director—

(a) dies, resigns or is removed from office, or

(b) is for any reason temporarily unable to continue to perform his or her functions,

the Minister may designate such member or members of the staff of the Insolvency Service as he or she considers appropriate to perform the functions of the Director until—

(i) in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (a), an appointment is made in accordance with subsection (2),

(ii) in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (b), the Director is able to resume the performance of his or her functions, or

(iii) the Minister decides to revoke or alter a designation made under this subsection.

(12) The Minister may, before the establishment day, designate a person to be appointed Director.

(13) If, immediately before the establishment day, a person stands designated by the Minister under subsection (12)—

(a) the Minister shall appoint that person to be the first Director, and

(b) for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the date of that person’s designation under subsection (12) shall be deemed to be the date of his or her appointment under this section.

Staff of Insolvency Service.

12.— (1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Insolvency Service, appoint such number of persons to be members of the staff of the Insolvency Service as may be approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

(2) The Minister shall, after consultation with the Insolvency Service and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine the grades of the staff of the Insolvency Service and the numbers of staff in each grade.

(3) Each appointment under this section shall be—

(a) on such terms and conditions relating to remuneration as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine, or

(b) on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Insolvency Service and approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Superannuation.

13.— (1) The Insolvency Service shall, as soon as may be after the establishment day, with the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, make a scheme or schemes for the granting of superannuation benefits to or in respect of the Director and such of its staff as it thinks fit.

(2) A scheme under this section shall fix the time and conditions of retirement of all persons to or in respect of whom superannuation benefits are payable under the scheme or schemes and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.

(3) The Insolvency Service may, with the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, make a scheme amending a scheme under this section including a scheme under this subsection.

(4) A scheme under this section shall, if approved by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, be carried out by the Insolvency Service in accordance with its terms.

(5) A scheme under this section shall include a provision for appeals from a decision relating to a superannuation benefit under the scheme.

(6) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any superannuation benefit payable pursuant to a scheme or schemes under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister who shall refer it to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, whose decision shall be final.

(7) No superannuation benefits shall be granted by the Insolvency Service to or in respect of a person on ceasing to be the Director or a member of the staff of the Insolvency Service otherwise than—

(a) in accordance with a scheme or schemes under this section, or

(b) with the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

(8) A scheme under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the scheme is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(9) Subsection (8) shall, with all necessary modifications, apply to an amendment to a scheme under this section as it applies to a scheme under this section.

(10) In this section—

“amending”, in relation to a scheme under this section, includes revoking the scheme;

“superannuation benefit” means any pension, gratuity or other allowance payable to or in respect of a person ceasing to be the Director or a member of the staff of the Insolvency Service.

Strategic plans.

14.— (1) The Insolvency Service shall, as soon as practicable after the establishment day and, in any case, within 6 months after that day, and thereafter within 6 months before each third anniversary of the establishment day, prepare and submit to the Minister, for approval by the Minister with or without amendment, a strategic plan for the Insolvency Service for the ensuing 3 year period.

(2) A strategic plan shall—

(a) comply with any directions issued from time to time by the Minister in respect of the form and manner of the plan’s preparation,

(b) set out the key objectives, outputs and related strategies of the Insolvency Service, including the use of resources, and

(c) have regard to the need to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the Insolvency Service’s resources.

(3) The Minister shall, as soon as practicable after the strategic plan has been so approved, cause a copy of the strategic plan to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

Business plan.

15.— (1) Subject to this section, the Insolvency Service shall, in each year—

(a) prepare and adopt a business plan in respect of that year or of such other period as may be determined by the Minister, and

(b) submit the plan to the Minister.

(2) A business plan shall—

(a) indicate the activities of the Insolvency Service for the period to which the business plan relates,

(b) contain estimates of the number of employees of the Insolvency Service for the period and the business to which the plan relates, and

(c) accord with policies and objectives of the Minister and the Government as they relate to the functions of the Insolvency Service.

(3) In preparing the business plan, the Insolvency Service shall have regard to the strategic plan in operation at that time approved under section 14 .

(4) The Insolvency Service shall submit to the Minister with a business plan a statement of its estimate of the income and expenditure relating to the plan that is consistent with the moneys estimated to be available to the Insolvency Service for the period to which the business plan relates.

Reports by the Insolvency Service.

16.— (1) Not later than 4 months after the end of each financial year, the Insolvency Service shall make a written report (in this section referred to as the “annual report”) to the Minister on the performance of the functions of the Insolvency Service during that year.

(2) The annual report submitted under subsection (1) shall be in such form and shall include information in respect of such matters as the Insolvency Service thinks appropriate or as the Minister may direct.

(3) The Insolvency Service—

(a) may make any other reports that it considers appropriate for drawing to the Minister’s attention matters relating to the functions of the Insolvency Service that have come to its notice and that, in its opinion, should, because of their gravity or other exceptional circumstances, be the subject of a special report to the Minister, and

(b) shall make a report on any matter if so requested by the Minister.

(4) The Insolvency Service shall give to the Minister such other information as the Minister may require in respect of—

(a) the performance by the Insolvency Service of its functions and its policies in respect of such performance,

(b) any specific document or account prepared by it, or

(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), the period between the establishment day and the following 31 December shall be deemed to be a financial year.

(6) Not later than 2 months after receiving an annual report submitted under subsection (1), the Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(7) The Insolvency Service shall publish its annual report in such form and manner as it considers appropriate as soon as practicable after subsection (6) has been complied with in respect of the report.

(8) The Minister may, if he or she considers it appropriate to do so, cause a copy of a report submitted under subsection (3)—

(a) to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and

(b) where paragraph (a) has been complied with, published in such form and manner as he or she considers appropriate.

Accounts and audit.

17.— (1) The Insolvency Service shall—

(a) submit estimates of income and expenditure to the Minister in such form, in respect of such periods and at such times as may be specified by the Minister, and

(b) provide to the Minister any information which the Minister may require regarding those estimates and also regarding the proposals and plans of the Insolvency Service in respect of a period specified by the Minister.

(2) The Insolvency Service shall keep in such form and in respect of such accounting periods as may be approved of by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, all proper and usual accounts of moneys received and spent by the Insolvency Service, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet.

(3) (a) The accounts of the Insolvency Service shall be approved by it as soon as practicable (but not later than 3 months after the end of the accounting period to which they relate) and submitted by it to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit.

(b) A copy of the accounts and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on them shall be presented to the Minister as soon as practicable, and the Minister shall cause a copy of the accounts and report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(4) (a) The Insolvency Service, the Director and any relevant member of the staff shall, whenever so required by the Minister, permit any person appointed by the Minister to examine the accounts of the Insolvency Service in respect of any financial year or other period and shall facilitate any such examination, and the Insolvency Service shall pay to the Minister such fee for the examination as may be fixed by the Minister.

(b) In this subsection, “relevant member of the staff” means a member of the staff of the Insolvency Service to whom duties relating to those accounts have been duly assigned.

Appearance before Committee of Dáil Éireann established to examine, etc., appropriation accounts, etc.

18.— (1) The Director shall, whenever required in writing by a Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, give evidence to that Committee on—

(a) the regularity and propriety of the transactions recorded, or required to be recorded in any book or other record of account subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General that the Insolvency Service is required by this Act to prepare,

(b) the economy and efficiency of the Insolvency Service in the use of resources,

(c) the systems, procedures and practices employed by the Insolvency Service for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of its operations, and

(d) any matter affecting the Insolvency Service referred to in a special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General under section 11 (2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 , or any other report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (in so far as the report relates to a matter specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) that is laid before Dáil Éireann.

(2) In giving evidence to the Committee under this section, the Director shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such policy.

Appearance before other committees of Houses of Oireachtas.

19.— (1) The Director shall, at the request in writing of a Committee, attend before it to give account for the general administration of the Insolvency Service as is required by the Committee and, for that purpose, shall provide the Committee with such information (including documents) as it specifies and as is in the possession of, or is available to, the Director.

(2) The Director is not required to give an account before a Committee of any matter that is or has been or may at a future time be the subject of—

(a) a decision or determination by the Insolvency Service in respect of a particular person, or

(b) proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State.

(3) The Director shall, if of the opinion that subsection (2) applies to a matter about which he or she is requested to give an account before a Committee, inform the Committee of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion.

(4) The information required under subsection (3) to be given to the Committee shall be given in writing unless it is given when the Director is before the Committee.

(5) If, on being informed of the Director’s opinion about a matter, the Committee decides not to withdraw its request, the High Court may, on application under subsection (6), determine whether subsection (2) applies to the matter.

(6) An application for a determination under subsection (5) may be made in a summary manner to the High Court by—

(a) the Director not later than 21 days after being informed by the Committee of its decision not to withdraw its request, or

(b) the chairperson of the Committee acting on its behalf.

(7) Pending the determination of an application under subsection (6), the Director shall not attend before the Committee to give an account of the matter to which the application relates.

(8) If the High Court determines that subsection (2) applies to the matter, the Committee shall withdraw its request relating to the matter, but if the High Court determines that subsection (2) does not apply, the Director shall attend before the Committee to give an account of the matter.

(9) In this section, “Committee” means a committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas (other than the Committee referred to in section 18 (1), the Committee on Members’ Interests of Dáil Éireann or the Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann), or a subcommittee of such a committee.

Power to charge and recover fees.

20.— (1) Subject to subsection (5), the Insolvency Service, with the consent of the Minister, may, and if directed by the Minister to do so and in accordance with the terms of the direction, shall, prescribe by regulations the fees to be paid to it and when they fall due in respect of—

(a) the performance of functions,

(b) the provision of services, and

by it under this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Insolvency Service’s power under that subsection to prescribe fees includes the power to provide for exemptions from the payment of fees, or waiving, remitting or refunding fees (in whole or in part), in different circumstances or classes of circumstances or in different cases or classes of cases.

(3) Fees received under this Act shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform directs.

(4) The Insolvency Service may recover as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction, from a person by whom the fee is payable, any amount due and owing to the Insolvency Service in respect of a fee charged under this section.

(5) In making regulations pursuant to this section the Insolvency Service may have regard to—

(a) the expenses incurred by it, or

(b) the expenses which it is anticipated will be incurred by it,

in performing its functions under this Act, so that so much of those expenses as it considers appropriate are recovered from fees to be charged pursuant to such regulations.

Advances by Minister to Insolvency Service.

21.— The Minister shall advance to the Insolvency Service out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas such amount or amounts as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine for the purposes of expenditure by the Insolvency Service in the performance of its functions.

Restriction of Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

22.— (1) The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 do not apply to a record held by the Insolvency Service, unless the record relates to the general administration of the Insolvency Service.

(2) In this section, “record” has the same meaning as in the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

Guidelines on reasonable standard of living, reasonable living expenses for debtors.

23.— (1) The Insolvency Service shall, for the purposes of sections 26 , 65 (4) and 99 (4) and section 85D (as inserted by section 157 ) of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 , prepare and issue guidelines as to what constitutes a reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses.

(2) Before issuing guidelines under subsection (1), the Insolvency Service shall consult with the Minister, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Social Protection and such other persons or bodies as the Insolvency Service considers appropriate or as the Minister may direct.

(3) In preparing guidelines to be issued under subsection (1), the Insolvency Service shall have regard to—

(a) such measures and indicators of poverty set out in Government policy publications on poverty and social inclusion as the Insolvency Service considers appropriate,

(b) such official statistics (within the meaning of the Statistics Act 1993 ) and surveys relating to household income and expenditure published by the Central Statistics Office as the Insolvency Service considers appropriate,

(c) the Consumer Price Index (All Items) published by the Central Statistics Office or any equivalent index published from time to time by that Office,

(d) such other information as the Insolvency Service considers appropriate for the performance of its functions under this section,

(e) differences in the size and composition of households, and the differing needs of persons, having regard to matters such as their age, health and whether they have a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability, and

(f) the need to facilitate the social inclusion of debtors and their dependants, and their active participation in economic activity in the State.

(4) Guidelines issued under subsection (1) may provide examples of—

(a) expenses that may be allowed as reasonable living expenses, and

(b) expenses that may not be allowed as reasonable living expenses.

(5) The Insolvency Service shall make guidelines issued under subsection (1) available to members of the public on its website.

(6) Subject to subsection (7), the Insolvency Service shall issue guidelines under subsection (1) at intervals of such length, not being more than one year, as it considers appropriate.

(7) Failure by the Insolvency Service to comply with subsection (6) shall not render invalid for the purposes of this Act the guidelines most recently issued by it under this section.

Insolvency Service may communicate by electronic means.

24.— Nothing in this Act shall be construed as preventing the Insolvency Service, in the performance of its functions under this Act, from sending or receiving documents or other information, or otherwise communicating, by electronic means.

PART 3

Insolvency Arrangements

Chapter 1

Debt Relief Notices

Interpretation of Chapter 1.

25.— In this Chapter—

“Act of 1995” means the Consumer Credit Act 1995 ;

“application date” means the date on which an application under section 29 for a Debt Relief Notice is made to the Insolvency Service;

“approved intermediary” means a person authorised under section 47 to perform the functions of an approved intermediary under this Chapter;

“debt”, in relation to a debtor, means a debt for a liquidated sum that, on the application date, is payable either immediately or at some certain future time within 3 years from that date;

“Debt Relief Notice” means a Debt Relief Notice issued under section 31 ;

“Debt Relief Notice process” in relation to a debtor, means the process that commences with the submission of a written statement by the debtor under section 27 (1) and which concludes, as the case may be, when—

(a) the debtor’s application for a Debt Relief Notice is withdrawn, deemed to be withdrawn or refused, in accordance with this Chapter, or

(b) the Debt Relief Notice issued in relation to that debtor ceases to have effect in accordance with this Chapter;

“qualifying debt” in relation to a debtor, means a debt other than an excluded debt and—

(a) includes the following:

(i) credit card debt;

(ii) an overdraft or an unsecured loan from a bank or other entity regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland which carries on business in the State and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland;

(iii) debt for payment of one or more than one bill in respect of rent, utilities or telephone;

(iv) liquidated debts incurred by the debtor as surety for another person, such as a guarantee given by the debtor that has been called up that any amount guaranteed is due and payable by the debtor,

(b) subject to sections 35 (9) and 46 , may include a secured debt, and

“specified creditor” shall be construed in accordance with section 32 (c)(ii) and references to a specified creditor include a reference to any person to whom the right to claim the whole or any part of a specified qualifying debt concerned passes, by assignment or operation of law, after the application date concerned;

“specified debtor” means a person who is the subject of a Debt Relief Notice and, in relation to a particular Debt Relief Notice, means the person who is the subject of that Notice in accordance with section 32 (a);

“specified qualifying debts” shall be construed in accordance with section 32 (b);

“supervision period” shall be construed in accordance with section 34 and includes a supervision period as extended under that section;

“termination”, in relation to a Debt Relief Notice, means its termination by order of a court under section 43 or 44 .

Eligibility criteria for a Debt Relief Notice.

26.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, a debtor shall not be eligible for the issue of a Debt Relief Notice unless an application for such a Notice is made on his or her behalf in accordance with section 29 , and he or she satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in subsection (2).

(2) Subject to this section, the eligibility criteria referred to in subsection (1) are that the debtor, on the application date:

(a) has qualifying debts that amount to €20,000 or less;

(b) has net disposable income, calculated in accordance with subsection (5), of €60 or less a month;

(d) is domiciled in the State or, within one year before the application date, has ordinarily—

(i) resided in the State, or

(ii) had a place of business in the State;

(e) is, taking into account the factors referred to in subsection (7), insolvent and has no likelihood of becoming solvent within the period of 3 years commencing on the application date, while also maintaining a reasonable standard of living for himself or herself and his or her dependants;

(f) has not, during the period of 2 years ending on the application date—

(i) entered into a transaction with a person at an undervalue that has materially contributed to the debtor’s inability to pay his or her debts (other than any debts due to the person with whom the debtor entered the transaction at an undervalue), or

(ii) given a preference to a person that has had the effect of substantially reducing the amount available to the debtor for the payment of his or her debts (other than a debt due to the person who received the preference);

(g) is not ineligible under subsection (4) or (8) for the issue of a Debt Relief Notice.

(3) Where section 135 has been applied—

(a) references in paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (2) to a debtor’s debts and assets, and

(b) references in subsection (6)(b)(i) to the debtor’s savings,

shall be construed as referring to the amounts concerned after such set-off.

(4) A debtor shall not be eligible for a Debt Relief Notice where 25 per cent or more of his or her qualifying debts were incurred during the period of 6 months ending on the application date.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b)—

(a) “net disposable income” means the income available to a debtor, calculated in accordance with paragraph (b), less the deductions referred to in paragraph (c),

(b) the following, in relation to a debtor, shall be taken into account in calculating his or her income—

(i) his or her salary or wages,

(ii) the welfare benefits (other than child benefit) of which he or she is in receipt,

(iii) his or her income from a pension,

(iv) contributions from other household members, and

(v) any other income available to him or her,

and

(c) the following (where applicable), in relation to a debtor, shall be deducted from the sum calculated under paragraph (b):

(i) his or her reasonable living expenses;

(ii) income tax payable by him or her;

(iii) social insurance contributions payable by him or her;

(iv) payments made by him or her in respect of excluded debts;

(v) payments made by him or her in respect of excludable debts that are not permitted debts;

(vi) such other levies and charges on the specified debtor’s income as may be prescribed.

(6) In calculating a debtor’s assets for the purposes of subsection (2)(c)—

(a) the value of an asset shall be taken to be its market value, irrespective of any mortgage, charge or other security to which it is subject,

(b) the items which shall be taken into account include—

(i) savings;

(ii) subject to paragraph (c)(iii), vehicles;

(iii) shares;

(iv) property (real and personal),

(i) the following items, to a total value that does not exceed €6,000—

(I) household equipment and appliances that are reasonably necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living for the debtor and his or her dependants, and

(II) books, tools and other items of equipment used by him or her that are reasonably necessary in his or her employment, business or vocation;

(ii) one item of personal jewellery to a value not exceeding €750 or such other value as the Minister may prescribe, where the cost of purchase of that item is not included in the qualifying debts of the debtor for the purposes of subsection (2)(a);

(iii) one motor vehicle, where that motor vehicle is reasonably necessary in order for him or her to carry out his or her everyday activities and—

(I) is worth €2,000 or less, or is worth such other amount as the Minister may prescribe, where the cost of purchase of that item is not included in the qualifying debts of the debtor for the purposes of subsection (2)(a), or

(II) where the debtor, or his or her dependant, has a disability, has been specially designed or adapted for use by the debtor or that dependant, as the case may be;

(iv) where the debtor or his or her dependant is attending a course of primary or second-level education, books, materials and other items of equipment that are reasonably necessary to enable the debtor or that dependant, as the case may be, to participate in and complete that course,

(v) any interest in or entitlement under a relevant pension arrangement unless subsection (12) applies.

(7) The factors to be taken into account for the purposes of subsection (2)(e) are—

(a) the current liabilities of the debtor,

(b) the contingent and prospective liabilities of the debtor and (insofar as is ascertainable) the times at which such liabilities will become due for payment,

(d) guidelines issued under section 23 .

(8) A debtor is ineligible for the issue of a Debt Relief Notice where—

(a) he or she has ever been a specified debtor,

(b) he or she has applied for a protective certificate under Chapter 3 or 4 within the period of 12 months ending on the application date,

(c) he or she, as a debtor, is, as of the application date, a party to a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement which is in effect,

(d) he or she, as a debtor, has successfully completed a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement within the period of 5 years ending on the application date,

(e) subject to subsection (9), he or she has applied for bankruptcy and the petition concerned has not been adjudicated before the application date,

(f) subject to subsection (10), a creditor has, before the application date, petitioned to make the debtor bankrupt but the hearing concerned has not yet taken place,

(g) he or she has, before the application date, been adjudicated bankrupt and the adjudication has not been annulled or discharged,

(h) he or she is, as of the application date, a discharged bankrupt subject to a bankruptcy payment order,

(i) he or she is, as a debtor, subject, as of the application date, to an arrangement under the control of the court under Part IV of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 , or

(j) he or she has been discharged from bankruptcy within the period of 5 years ending on the application date.

(9) Subsection (8)(e) shall not apply where the petition concerned—

(a) has not been presented before the date on which the application for the Debt Relief Notice is determined under section 31 ,

(b) has been so presented, but proceedings on the petition have been finally disposed of before that date, or

(c) has been so presented and proceedings in relation to the petition remain before the High Court at that date, but the Court has referred the person for the purposes of making an application for a Debt Settlement Arrangement or Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(10) Subsection (8)(f) shall not apply where the petition concerned—

(a) has not been presented against the person before the application date,

(b) has been so presented, but proceedings on the petition have been finally disposed of before that date, or

(c) has been so presented and proceedings in relation to the petition remain before the Court at that date, but the making of an application for a Debt Relief Notice has been consented to by the creditor or the person who presented the petition on the creditor’s behalf.

(11) In determining what constitutes reasonable living expenses or a reasonable standard of living for the purposes of this section, regard shall be had to guidelines issued under section 23 .

(12) Where this subsection applies and a debtor has an interest in or entitlement under a relevant pension arrangement which would, if the debtor performed an act or exercised an option, cause that debtor to receive from or at the request of the person administering that relevant pension arrangement—

(a) an income, or

(b) an amount of money other than income,

in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , that debtor shall be considered as being in receipt of such income or amount of money.

(13) Subsection (12) applies where the debtor—

(a) is entitled at the date of the making of the application for a Debt Relief Notice,

(b) was entitled at any time before the date of the making of the application for a Debt Relief Notice, or

to perform the act or exercise the option referred to in subsection (12).

Initiation of Debt Relief Notice process.

27.— (1) A debtor who wishes to become a specified debtor shall submit to an approved intermediary a written statement disclosing all of the debtor’s financial affairs, which statement shall include—

(a) such information as may be prescribed in relation to—

(i) his or her creditors,

(ii) his or her debts and other liabilities,

(iii) his or her assets, and

(iv) the efforts made by him or her to reach an alternative repayment arrangement with his or her creditors, and

(b) such other information as may be prescribed.

(2) Following receipt of the information referred to in subsection (1), the approved intermediary shall hold a meeting with the debtor and, at that meeting, provide, on the basis of the information, the debtor with the following information and advice—

(a) whether the debtor satisfies the criteria specified in section 26 (2),

(b) the general effect of making an application under section 29 , and the consequences, including any adverse consequences, for the debtor in the event of his or her becoming a specified debtor,

(c) the other option or options (if any) available to him or her for addressing his or her financial difficulties including, in particular, becoming party to a Debt Settlement Arrangement, Personal Insolvency Arrangement or bankruptcy, and the general effect of choosing one or more than one of those options,

(d) the fee (if any) that is prescribed for making an application under section 29 .

(3) Where the debtor, following the meeting referred to in subsection (2), wishes to apply for a Debt Relief Notice, he or she shall confirm that fact in writing to the approved intermediary.

(4) The debtor, as soon as practicable after he or she has made the confirmation referred to in subsection (3), shall provide information that fully discloses his or her financial affairs to the approved intermediary.

(5) The approved intermediary, on receipt of the information referred to in subsection (4), shall examine that information and, having regard to the obligation of the debtor under subsections (7) and (8), assist the debtor in completing a Prescribed Financial Statement.

(6) On completion of a Prescribed Financial Statement under subsection (5), the approved intermediary, if he or she is of the opinion that—

(a) the information contained in the debtor’s Prescribed Financial Statement is true and accurate, and

(b) the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 26 (2),

shall prepare a statement to that effect.

(7) A debtor who participates in the Debt Relief Notice process (including a debtor who becomes a specified debtor), is at all times under an obligation to act in good faith and to co-operate fully in the process.

(8) A person referred to in subsection (7), in his or her dealings with the approved intermediary concerned, shall—

(a) make full and honest disclosure to that approved intermediary of all of his or her assets, income and liabilities and of all other circumstances that are relevant to that process,

(b) comply with any reasonable request from the approved intermediary to provide assistance, documents and information, including any debt, tax, employment, business, social welfare or other financial records, necessary for the application of the process to the debtor’s case or the performance of the approved intermediary’s functions, and

(c) ensure that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Prescribed Financial Statement completed under this section is true, accurate and complete.

(9) Where an approved intermediary resigns from the role of approved intermediary as respects a debtor, he or she shall notify the Insolvency Service of that fact, which notification shall be accompanied by a statement of the reasons for his or her resignation.

(10) Where, at any time during the Debt Relief Notice process after the debtor has made the confirmation referred to in subsection (3), the approved intermediary concerned (“original approved intermediary”)—

(a) dies,

(b) becomes incapable, through ill-health or otherwise, of performing the functions of an approved intermediary as respects the debtor,

(d) is no longer entitled to perform the functions of an approved intermediary under this Act,

the debtor shall, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of that fact, appoint another approved intermediary to act as his or her approved intermediary for the purposes of this Chapter.

(11) (a) Where paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (10) applies, the debtor concerned shall, as soon as practicable, inform the Insolvency Service of that fact.

(b) Where an approved intermediary has been appointed under subsection (10), the approved intermediary shall, as soon as practicable, inform the Insolvency Service and the creditors concerned of that fact.

(12) Where an approved intermediary is appointed under subsection (10)—

(a) that appointment shall not affect the validity of anything previously done under this Chapter by the original approved intermediary,

(b) a Debt Relief Notice that is in effect as regards the debtor shall continue to have effect, and

(c) references in this Act to an approved intermediary, in relation to the debtor concerned, shall be construed as including references to the approved intermediary so appointed.

Creditor consent required for issue of Debt Relief Notice in respect of excludable debt.

28.— (1) A Debt Relief Notice shall be issued in respect of an excludable debt only where the creditor concerned has consented, or is deemed to have consented, in accordance with this section, to the issue of such a Debt Relief Notice.

(2) Where a debtor who wishes an application under section 29 to be made on his or her behalf wishes the Debt Relief Notice concerned to be issued in respect of an excludable debt, the approved intermediary concerned shall, without delay, notify the creditor concerned of that fact, which notification shall be accompanied by—

(a) such information about the debtor’s affairs (including his or her creditors, debts, liabilities, income and assets) as may be prescribed, and

(b) a request in writing that the creditor confirm, in writing, whether or not the creditor consents, for the purposes of this section, to the Debt Relief Notice being issued in respect of the debt.

(3) A creditor shall comply with a request under subsection (2)(b) within 21 days of receipt of the notification under that subsection.

(4) Where a creditor does not comply with subsection (3), the creditor shall be deemed to have consented to the issue of a Debt Relief Notice in respect of the debt concerned.

(5) In this Chapter, “permitted debt” means an excludable debt to which subsection (1) applies.

Application for Debt Relief Notice.

29.— (1) An application for a Debt Relief Notice may only be made—

(a) on behalf of a debtor who has made the confirmation referred to in section 27 (3), and

(b) by an approved intermediary who is satisfied, in relation to that debtor, of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 27 (6).

(2) An application referred to in subsection (1) shall be made to the Insolvency Service, shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the Insolvency Service and shall be accompanied by such fee (if any) as may be prescribed and the following documents—

(a) a copy of the statement made by the approved intermediary under section 27 (6);

(b) a document signed by the debtor confirming that he or she satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 26 (2);

(c) the Prescribed Financial Statement completed under section 27 and a statutory declaration made by the debtor confirming that the statement is a complete and accurate statement of the debtor’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure;

(d) a schedule of the creditors of the debtor and the debts concerned, stating in relation to each such creditor—

(i) the amount of each debt due to that creditor,

(ii) whether the creditor concerned is a secured creditor and, if so, the details of any security held in respect of the debt concerned, and

(iii) where the debt is an excludable debt, whether that debt is a permitted debt within the meaning of section 28 ;

(e) the debtor’s written consent to—

(i) the disclosure to the Insolvency Service,

(ii) the processing by the Insolvency Service, and

(iii) the disclosure by the Insolvency Service to creditors of the debtor concerned,

of personal data of that debtor, to the extent necessary in respect of the Debt Relief Notice process;

(f) the debtor’s written consent to the making of any enquiry under section 30 relating to the debtor by the Insolvency Service;

(g) a document signed by the debtor stating whether, to the best of his or her knowledge, there is any judgment or court order in force against him or her which relates to a debt which is a qualifying debt;

(h) such other information about the debtor’s affairs (including his or her creditors, debts, liabilities, income and assets) as may be prescribed.

(3) A debtor on whose behalf an application under subsection (1) has been made shall notify the approved intermediary concerned as soon as practicable if the debtor becomes aware of—

(a) any error in, or omission from, the information supplied to the Insolvency Service in, or in support of, the application;

(b) any material change in his or her circumstances between the application date and the date on which the application is reviewed under section 31 (2) that would affect the debtor’s eligibility for the issue of a Debt Relief Notice.

(4) An approved intermediary who receives information under subsection (3) shall, without delay, furnish that information to the Insolvency Service.

(5) An application under this section may be withdrawn by the approved intermediary at any time prior to the issue of a Debt Relief Notice under section 31 .

Consideration by Insolvency Service of application under section 29 .

30.— (1) For the purpose of its consideration of an application under section 29 , the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to request from the approved intermediary any further information it requires and to defer further consideration of the application until such information is furnished to it.

(2) Where an approved intermediary fails to provide the information requested by the Insolvency Service under subsection (1) within 14 days or such longer period as the Insolvency Service may permit, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), in considering the application for a Debt Relief Notice, the Insolvency Service shall make such enquiries as it considers necessary to satisfy itself that—

(a) the approved intermediary is a person entitled under this Act to act as an approved intermediary, and

(b) having regard to the information received under section 29 and subsection (1) the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 26 (2).

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), for the purposes of subsection (3) the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to presume that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Debt Relief Notice set out in section 26 (2) if the documents required under section 29 to accompany the application have accompanied it and the Insolvency Service has no reason to believe that the information supplied in or in support of the application, including information furnished to it under section 29 (4), is incomplete or inaccurate.

(5) The Insolvency Service may make such enquiries as it considers appropriate to verify the completeness or accuracy of any matter referred to in the Prescribed Financial Statement of the debtor or in relation to the assets, liabilities, income or expenditure of the debtor.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5) the matters in respect of which the Insolvency Service may make an enquiry include the following:

(a) particulars relating to bank accounts, securities or other accounts held, solely or jointly, by or for the benefit of the debtor with financial institutions or financial intermediaries in the State or abroad;

(b) particulars relating to assets of the debtor and the value of such assets;

(d) the employment and income of the debtor;

(e) payments received by the debtor from the Department of Social Protection, other Departments of State, local authorities or other State bodies or agencies, and whether or not such payments are made as agent of any other person;

(f) taxes or charges imposed by or under statute paid or owed by the debtor, whether within or outside the State and refunds in respect of such taxes and charges which are or may become due to the debtor.

(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Insolvency Service to make an enquiry in any case.

(8) A person who receives an enquiry from the Insolvency Service pursuant to this section shall furnish the information requested as soon as practicable.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, for the purposes of the performance of the functions of the Insolvency Service under this Chapter, information held by the Department of Social Protection, other Departments of State, the Revenue Commissioners, local authorities or other State bodies or agencies in relation to a debtor may be furnished to the Insolvency Service.

Referral of application to appropriate court for issue of Debt Relief Notice.

31.— (1) Where the Insolvency Service, following its consideration under section 30 —

(a) is satisfied that an application under section 29 is in order, it shall—

(i) issue a certificate to that effect,

(ii) furnish that certificate together with a copy of the application and supporting documentation to the appropriate court, and

(iii) notify the approved intermediary to that effect, and

(b) is not so satisfied, it shall notify the approved intermediary to that effect.

(2) Where the appropriate court receives the application and accompanying documentation pursuant to subsection (1)(a), it shall consider the application and documentation and, subject to subsection (3)—

(a) if satisfied that the criteria specified in section 26 (2) have been satisfied, shall issue a Debt Relief Notice in respect of the debts specified in the application under section 29 which it is satisfied are qualifying debts, and

(b) if not so satisfied, shall refuse to issue a Debt Relief Notice.

(3) The appropriate court, where it requires further information or evidence for the purpose of its arriving at a decision under subsection (2), may hold a hearing, which hearing shall be on notice to the Insolvency Service and the approved intermediary concerned.

(4) A hearing referred to in subsection (3), unless the appropriate court considers it appropriate to hold it in public, shall be held otherwise than in public.

(5) The registrar of the appropriate court shall notify the Insolvency Service where the appropriate court—

(a) issues a Debt Relief Notice under this section,

(b) refuses an application under subsection (2)(b), or

(6) In considering an application under this section the appropriate court shall be entitled to treat a certificate issued by the Insolvency Service under subsection (1) as evidence of the matters certified therein.

Contents of Debt Relief Notice.

32.— A Debt Relief Notice issued under section 31 shall specify—

(a) the debtor who is the subject of the Notice,

(b) the debts (“specified qualifying debts”), referred to in section 31 (2), in respect of which the Notice has been issued, and

(i) the value of the debt on the application date, and

(ii) the creditor (“specified creditor”) to whom it is owed.

Duties of Insolvency Service on issue of Debt Relief Notice.

33.— (1) On receiving the notification referred to in section 31 (5)(a), the Insolvency Service shall, as soon as practicable—

(a) notify the approved intermediary concerned that the Debt Relief Notice has been issued,

(b) send the notice referred to in subsection (2) to the specified debtor,

(d) comply with subsection (4).

(2) A notice under subsection (1)(b) shall inform the specified debtor of the issue of a Debt Relief Notice in respect of which he or she is the specified debtor, and shall be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the Notice, and

(b) a statement of the obligations during the supervision period of a specified debtor under this Chapter.

(3) A notice under subsection (1)(c) shall inform the specified creditor concerned of the issue of a Debt Relief Notice in respect of which he or she is a specified creditor, and shall be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the Notice,

(b) a statement of the specified qualifying debt or debts in respect of which he or she is the specified creditor,

(c) a statement of his or her right under section 43 to object to the inclusion, in the Debt Relief Notice, of a specified qualifying debt referred to in paragraph (b), and

(d) a copy of the Prescribed Financial Statement completed under section 27 .

(4) The Insolvency Service complies with this subsection by recording on the Register of Debt Relief Notices—

(a) the fact that the Debt Relief Notice has been issued,

(b) the date on which the Debt Relief Notice was issued,

(d) such other details as may be prescribed under section 133 (3)(b).

Duration of Debt Relief Notice.

34.— (1) Subject to this section, the period for which a Debt Relief Notice shall remain in effect (“supervision period”) is the period of 3 years from the date on which its issue is recorded under section 33 (4).

(2) The appropriate court, on application to it by the Insolvency Service, may extend the supervision period where it is satisfied that such extension is necessary in order to allow the Insolvency Service to—

(a) carry out or complete an investigation under section 40 , or

(b) take any other action it considers necessary (whether as a result of such an investigation or otherwise) in relation to the Notice concerned.

(3) The appropriate court may extend the supervision period for the purposes of determining an application under section 42 , 43 or 44 .

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (3), a Debt Relief Notice shall cease to have effect on the date—

(a) on which the termination of the Notice, under section 42 , 43 or 44 , takes effect, or

(b) on which it ceases to have effect under section 37 (2)(a).

(5) The registrar of the appropriate court shall notify the Insolvency Service and the approved intermediary concerned where a supervision period is extended under subsection (2) or (3) or under section 41 (3)(c), 42 (3)(c), 43 (5)(b) or 44 (4)(b).

(6) On receiving the notification referred to in subsection (5), the Insolvency Service shall—

(a) send a notice to the specified debtor and each specified creditor, informing them of the extension, and

(b) record the extension in the Register of Debt Relief Notices.

Effect of issue of Debt Relief Notice.

35.— (1) Subject to this section, a specified creditor shall not, during the supervision period concerned—

(a) initiate any legal proceedings in relation to a specified qualifying debt,

(b) take any step to prosecute any such legal proceedings already initiated,

(d) execute or enforce a judgment or order of a court or tribunal against the debtor in respect of a specified qualifying debt,

(e) take any step to recover goods in the possession or custody of the debtor (whether or not title to the goods is vested in the specified creditor),

(f) contact the specified debtor regarding payment of a specified qualifying debt, otherwise than at the request of the debtor, or

(g) in relation to an agreement with the specified debtor, other than a security agreement, by reason only that the debtor is insolvent or that the Debt Relief Notice concerned is in effect—

(i) terminate or amend that agreement, or

(ii) claim an accelerated payment under that agreement.

(2) A specified creditor shall not, during the supervision period concerned, in respect of a specified qualifying debt, present, apply for or proceed with—

(a) a bankruptcy petition relating to the debtor, or

(b) a summons under section 8 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 .

(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2), during the supervision period concerned, no other proceedings, execution or other legal process in respect of a specified qualifying debt may be commenced or continued against the specified debtor or his or her property, except with the leave of the appropriate court and subject to any order that the court may make to stay such proceedings, execution or other legal processes for such period as the court deems appropriate, but this subsection shall not operate to prohibit the commencement or continuation of any criminal proceedings against the debtor.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the fact that a Debt Relief Notice is in effect in relation to a specified debtor shall not operate to prevent a specified creditor taking the actions referred to in subsection (1) as respects another person who has guaranteed a debt of the specified debtor concerned.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the fact that a Debt Relief Notice is in effect under this Chapter in relation to a specified debtor shall not operate to prevent a specified creditor taking the actions referred to in subsection (3) as respects a person who has jointly contracted with the specified debtor concerned or is jointly liable with that specified debtor to the specified creditor and that other person may sue or be sued in respect of the contract without joining the specified debtor.

(6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply where a Debt Relief Notice, or a protective certificate issued under Chapter 3 or 4 , is in effect as respects the other person.

(7) The Deeds of Arrangement Act 1887 does not apply to a Debt Relief Notice.

(8) While a Debt Relief Notice remains in effect under this Chapter, the information referred to in section 33 (4), and a record of any extension under this Chapter of the supervision period concerned, shall remain on the Register of Debt Relief Notices.

(9) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of a secured creditor to enforce or otherwise deal with his or her security.

General obligations of debtor arising under this Chapter.

36.— (1) A specified debtor, during the supervision period concerned, shall inform the Insolvency Service as soon as practicable—

(a) of any material change in the specified debtor’s circumstances, in particular an increase or decrease in the extent of his or her assets, liabilities or income, and

(b) where the specified debtor becomes aware of any inaccuracy or omission in his or her Prescribed Financial Statement or any other information provided, or documents submitted, by him or her, or on his or her behalf, to the Insolvency Service.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), a specified debtor who, during the supervision period concerned, receives a gift or payment worth €500 or more shall surrender to the Insolvency Service 50 per cent of the value of that gift or payment.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a specified debtor whose income increases by €400 or more per month during the supervision period concerned shall surrender to the Insolvency Service 50 per cent of that increase.

(4) The reference in subsection (3) to a specified debtor’s income is a reference to his or her income as stated in the information provided, or documents submitted by him or her, or on his or her behalf, under section 29 , less the following deductions (where applicable):

(a) income tax;

(b) social insurance contributions;

(d) payments made by him or her in respect of excludable debts that are not permitted debts;

(e) such other levies and charges on the specified debtor’s income as may be prescribed.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) shall cease to apply in relation to a specified debtor where the aggregate of the sums surrendered by that specified debtor under those subsections equals 50 per cent of the total value of the specified qualifying debts concerned.

(6) A sum surrendered to the Insolvency Service under subsection (2) or (3) shall be dealt with in accordance with section 38 .

(7) A specified debtor, during the supervision period concerned, shall not, either alone or with any other person, obtain credit in an amount of more than €650 from any person without informing that person that he or she is a specified debtor.

Payment by specified debtor of portion of specified debts.

37.— (1) A specified debtor may, at any time during the supervision period concerned, pay a sum to the Insolvency Service in accordance with this section.

(2) Where the sum, or the aggregate of the sums paid by a specified debtor under this section, is in an amount that is not less than 50 per cent of the value of the specified qualifying debts concerned—

(a) the Debt Relief Notice concerned shall cease to have effect,

(b) his or her name shall, without delay, be removed from the Register of Debt Relief Notices, and

(3) A sum surrendered by a specified debtor in compliance with subsection (2) or (3) of section 36 shall be included in the calculation of the aggregate of the sums paid for the purposes of subsection (2).

Treatment by Insolvency Service of sums received under section 36 or 37.

38.— (1) The Insolvency Service, on receipt of a sum under subsection (2) or (3) of section 36 or under section 37 , shall deal with that sum in accordance with this section.

(2) On receipt of a sum referred to in subsection (1), the Insolvency Service shall, subject to subsection (3)—

(a) apportion that sum, on a pari passu basis, among the specified creditors to whom a specified qualifying debt that is a permitted debt is owed, and

(b) within one month of such receipt, transmit to each such specified creditor payment of the sum apportioned to that creditor under paragraph (a).

(3) Where, following a payment or payments to specified creditors under subsection (2) or subsection (4), as the case may be, all of the specified qualifying debts referred to in subsection (2) have been paid in full, the Insolvency Service shall, in relation to a sum referred to in subsection (1)—

(a) apportion that sum, on a pari passu basis, among the remaining specified creditors concerned, and

(b) within one month of such receipt, transmit to each such specified creditor payment of the sum apportioned to that creditor under paragraph (a).

(4) Where the Insolvency Service—

(a) has apportioned a sum to a specified creditor under subsection (2)(a) or (3)(a), as the case may be, and

(b) after reasonable efforts, is unable to locate that specified creditor,

it shall apportion the sum referred to in paragraph (a) among the specified creditors referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (3)(a), as the case may be, whom it has succeeded in locating and, within one month of doing so, shall transmit to each such specified creditor payment of the sum so apportioned.

(5) Where a specified qualifying debt is secured, the Insolvency Service, in apportioning a sum to the specified creditor concerned under subsection (2)(a), (3)(a) or (4), shall disregard the value of the security held by the specified creditor for that debt.

Power to amend Debt Relief Notice.

39.— An appropriate court may, on application to it by the Insolvency Service made during the supervision period concerned, order the amendment of a Debt Relief Notice where it is satisfied that such an amendment is necessary in order to address an ambiguity in, or to rectify an error in or omission from, that Notice.

Investigation by Insolvency Service.

40.— (1) The Insolvency Service may, during the supervision period concerned, carry out, in accordance with this section, an investigation of any matter that appears to it to be relevant to the arriving at a decision to exercise its powers under this Chapter.

(2) Subsections (5) to (9) of section 30 apply to an investigation under this section as they apply to an enquiry under that section.

Application by Insolvency Service for direction of court.

41.— (1) The Insolvency Service may, during the supervision period concerned, make an application to the appropriate court for directions in relation to a matter arising in connection with a Debt Relief Notice, including a matter relating to the specified debtor’s compliance with an obligation under section 36 .

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be made by the lodging by the Insolvency Service of a notice with the appropriate court, on notice to the specified debtor.

(3) On an application under this section the court may do one or more of the following—

(a) give the Insolvency Service such directions as it deems appropriate,

(b) make an order for the enforcement of an obligation of the specified debtor under section 36 ,

(d) make an order amending the Debt Relief Notice, or

(e) make such other order as it deems appropriate.

(4) The power conferred on the court under subsection (3)(d), section 42 (3)(d), section 43 (5)(c) and section 44 (4)(d) does not include the power to specify in a Debt Relief Notice, as a specified qualifying debt, any debt that was not included in the schedule referred to in section 29 (2)(d) or in any information provided, or documents submitted, by the specified debtor, or on his or her behalf, for the purpose of his or her application for that Notice.

Application by person affected to court.

42.— (1) A specified debtor or a specified creditor (“applicant”) may, during the supervision period concerned, make an application to the appropriate court if he or she is aggrieved by any act, omission or decision of the Insolvency Service in connection with the Debt Relief Notice concerned.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be made by the lodging by the applicant of a notice with the appropriate court, on notice to the Insolvency Service and—

(a) where the applicant is a specified creditor, to the specified debtor and the other specified creditors, and

(b) where the applicant is the specified debtor, to the specified creditors.

(3) On an application under this section the court may dismiss the application or do one or more of the following—

(a) revoke the whole or part of any act or decision of the Insolvency Service,

(b) make an order for the compliance by the specified debtor concerned with an obligation under section 36 ,

(d) make an order amending the Debt Relief Notice concerned, or

(e) make such other order as it deems appropriate.

Creditor objection during supervision period.

43.— (1) A specified creditor may, during the supervision period concerned, make an application to the appropriate court if he or she objects to the inclusion, as a specified qualifying debt, of a debt in respect of which he or she is a specified creditor.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be—

(a) made by the lodging by the specified creditor of a notice of objection with the appropriate court, on notice to the Insolvency Service and the specified debtor, and

(b) based on a ground referred to in subsection (3).

(3) The grounds of objection on which an application under subsection (1) may be made are the following:

(a) the specified debtor did not satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 26 (2) when the application under section 29 was made on his or her behalf,

(b) one or more of the following applies, which causes or has caused a material detriment to the specified creditor—

(i) there is a material inaccuracy or omission in the Prescribed Financial Statement concerned, or other information provided, or documents submitted, by the specified debtor, or on his or her behalf, under section 29 ;

(ii) the specified debtor failed to comply with an obligation under section 36 ;

(iii) an adjudication in bankruptcy has been made in relation to the specified debtor that has not been annulled or discharged;

(iv) the specified debtor has since the coming into effect of the Debt Relief Notice, committed an offence under this Act;

(v) the procedural requirements specified in this Chapter were not complied with.

(4) A hearing under subsection (1) shall be heard with all due expedition.

(5) On an application under this section the court may dismiss the application or do one or more of the following—

(a) terminate the Debt Relief Notice,

(b) extend the supervision period concerned, by an additional period not exceeding 12 months,

(c) make an order amending the Debt Relief Notice, including by removing the debt which was the subject of the objection under subsection (1), or

(d) make such other order as it deems appropriate.

Application by Insolvency Service to have Debt Relief Notice terminated.

44.— (1) The Insolvency Service may, during the supervision period concerned, apply to the appropriate court to have a Debt Relief Notice terminated.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be—

(a) made by the lodging by the Insolvency Service of a notice with the appropriate court, on notice to the specified debtor and each specified creditor, and

(b) based on a ground referred to in subsection (3).

(3) The grounds on which an application under subsection (1) may be made are the following—

(a) the specified debtor did not satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 26 (2) when the application under section 29 was made on his or her behalf,

(b) there is a material inaccuracy or omission in the Prescribed Financial Statement concerned, or other information provided, or documents submitted, by the specified debtor, or on his or her behalf, under section 29 ,

(d) an adjudication in bankruptcy has been made in relation to the specified debtor that has not been annulled or discharged,

(e) the specified debtor has, since the coming into effect of the Debt Relief Notice, committed an offence under this Act,

(f) the procedural requirements specified in this Chapter were not complied with.

(4) On an application under this section the court may dismiss the application or do one or more of the following—

(a) terminate the Debt Relief Notice,

(b) extend the supervision period concerned, by an additional period not exceeding 12 months,

(d) make an order amending the Debt Relief Notice, or

(e) make such other order as it deems appropriate.

Effect of termination of Debt Relief Notice.

45.— (1) Where a Debt Relief Notice is terminated under this Chapter, the specified debtor shall, unless the appropriate court has ordered otherwise and subject to subsection (2), thereupon be liable in full for—

(a) all debts specified in the Debt Relief Notice at the time of its termination as specified qualifying debts, and

(b) all arrears, charges and interest that have accrued during the supervision period in relation to those debts.

(2) In calculating the liability of a specified debtor under subsection (1), the debtor shall be given credit in respect of payments made by him or her under subsection (2) or (3) of section 36 or under section 37 .

(3) Where subsection (1) applies—

(a) the period during which the Debt Relief Notice concerned was in effect shall be disregarded in reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period (including any limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957) in relation to any proceedings or process in respect of a specified qualifying debt to which section 35 applied, and

(b) the period for which any judgment against the specified debtor in relation to a specified qualifying debt has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be extended by the period that the Debt Relief Notice was in effect.

Discharge from specified qualifying debts.

46.— (1) Where a Debt Relief Notice ceases to have effect (other than where it is terminated under this Chapter), the specified debtor shall, subject to this section, stand discharged from the specified qualifying debts concerned and all interest, penalties and other sums which have, since the application date, become payable in relation to those debts.

(2) Where a specified debtor stands discharged from the specified qualifying debts under subsection (1), the Insolvency Service shall, without delay and, in any event, within 3 months—

(a) remove from the Register of Debt Relief Notices all information recorded in it in respect of the Debt Relief Notice,

(b) send a notice to the specified creditors informing them of that fact, and

(3) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to a specified debtor’s obligations under section 36 (2) and (3).

(4) The discharge of the specified debtor under subsection (1) does not release any other person from—

(a) any liability (whether as partner or co-trustee of the specified debtor or otherwise) from which the specified debtor is discharged, or

(b) any liability as surety for the specified debtor or as a person in the nature of such a surety.

(5) Subsection (1) shall not affect the right of a secured creditor to enforce or otherwise deal with his or her security.

Approved intermediaries.

47.— (1) The Insolvency Service may authorise a person, or a class of person, to perform the functions of an approved intermediary under this Chapter.

(2) An approved intermediary shall not charge a debtor referred to in section 27 (1) any fee in connection with the performance by the approved intermediary of his or her functions under this Chapter.

(3) An approved intermediary is not liable in damages to any person for anything done or omitted to be done when acting (or purporting to act) as an approved intermediary under this Chapter.

(4) Subsection (3) shall not apply if the act or omission concerned was in bad faith.

(5) The Insolvency Service, with the consent of the Minister, may and, if directed by the Minister to do so and in accordance with the terms of the direction, shall, following consultation with any other person or body as the Insolvency Service thinks appropriate or as the Minister directs, prescribe the criteria for authorisation of persons as approved intermediaries under this section, having regard to—

(a) the experience, qualification, training and expertise required for the performance of the functions of an approved intermediary under this Chapter, and

(b) the need to ensure the protection of debtors who are or may become specified debtors under this Chapter.

(6) Regulations under subsection (5) may provide for the withdrawal of an authorisation of a person where he or she no longer meets the criteria for such an authorisation prescribed in those regulations.

(7) The Insolvency Service may, out of the proceeds of fees charged under section 20 , make payments to an approved intermediary in connection with the performance of his or her functions under this Chapter.

Chapter 2

Appointment of personal insolvency practitioner for purposes of Chapter 3 or 4

General.

48.— A debtor who wishes to become party, as a debtor, to a Debt Settlement Arrangement under Chapter 3 or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement under Chapter 4 (“an arrangement”) shall, before making an application under the Chapter concerned, comply with this Chapter.

Appointment of personal insolvency practitioner.

49.— (1) A debtor to whom section 48 applies shall submit to a personal insolvency practitioner a written statement disclosing all of the debtor’s financial affairs, which statement shall include—

(a) such information as may be prescribed in relation to—

(i) his or her creditors,

(ii) his or her debts and other liabilities,

(iii) his or her assets, and

(iv) guarantees (if any) given by the debtor in respect of a debt of another person,

and

(b) such other financial information as may be prescribed.

(2) Following receipt of the information referred to in subsection (1), the personal insolvency practitioner shall hold a meeting with the debtor and—

(a) advise him or her, on the basis of the information, of his or her options for addressing his or her financial difficulties and, in particular whether he or she satisfies the criteria specified in Chapter 3 or 4 , or both, for making a proposal for an arrangement, which advice the personal insolvency practitioner shall confirm in writing to the debtor, and

(b) provide him or her with—

(i) information relating to the procedure involved in, and general effect, including the likely costs, of becoming party to an arrangement,

(ii) information in writing relating to the fee arrangements and other conditions of appointment of the personal insolvency practitioner in the event that he or she is appointed under subsection (3), and

(iii) such other information as may be prescribed.

(3) Where the debtor, following the meeting referred to in subsection (2), wishes to become party to an arrangement, he or she shall appoint a personal insolvency practitioner (whether the personal insolvency practitioner referred to in subsection (1) or another personal insolvency practitioner) to act as his or her personal insolvency practitioner for the purposes of Chapter 3 or 4, as the case may be.

(4) On being appointed under subsection (3), the personal insolvency practitioner shall—

(a) confirm in writing to the debtor that the personal insolvency practitioner has consented to act in the role of personal insolvency practitioner as respects the debtor, and

(b) notify the Insolvency Service of his or her appointment.

(5) Where a personal insolvency practitioner is appointed under subsection (3), he or she shall stand appointed, and the debtor concerned shall not appoint another personal insolvency practitioner under that subsection, until such time as—

(a) the debtor concerned requests him or her to resign from the role of personal insolvency practitioner as respects the debtor, or

(b) the personal insolvency practitioner resigns from that role, on his or her own initiative.

(6) Where a personal insolvency practitioner resigns from the role of personal insolvency practitioner as respects a debtor, he or she shall notify the Insolvency Service of that fact, which notification shall be accompanied by a statement of the reasons for his or her resignation.

(7) Where a personal insolvency practitioner appointed under subsection (3) (“original personal insolvency practitioner”)—

(a) dies,

(b) becomes incapable, through ill-health or otherwise, of performing the functions of a personal insolvency practitioner as respects the debtor,

(d) is no longer entitled to perform the functions of a personal insolvency practitioner under this Act,

the debtor shall, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of that fact, appoint another personal insolvency practitioner to act as his or her personal insolvency practitioner for the purposes of Chapter 3 or 4, as the case may be.

(8) (a) Where paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (7) applies, the debtor concerned shall, as soon as practicable, inform the Insolvency Service of that fact.

(b) Where a personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed under subsection (7), the personal insolvency practitioner shall, as soon as practicable, inform the Insolvency Service and the creditors concerned of that fact.

(9) Where a personal insolvency practitioner is appointed under subsection (7)—

(a) that appointment shall not affect the validity of anything previously done under this Chapter, Chapter 3 or Chapter 4 , as the case may be, by the original personal insolvency practitioner,

(b) a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement that is in effect as regards the debtor shall continue to have effect, and

(c) references in this Act to a personal insolvency practitioner, in relation to the debtor concerned, shall be construed as including references to the personal insolvency practitioner so appointed.

Completion of Prescribed Financial Statement.

50.— (1) As soon as practicable after the personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed under section 49 (3), the debtor shall provide information that fully discloses his or her financial affairs to the personal insolvency practitioner.

(2) The personal insolvency practitioner, on receipt of the information referred to in subsection (1), shall examine that information and, having regard to the obligation of the debtor under subsection (3), assist the debtor in completing a Prescribed Financial Statement.

(3) The debtor, when completing the Prescribed Financial Statement referred to in subsection (2), is under an obligation to make a full and honest disclosure of his or her financial affairs and to ensure that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Prescribed Financial Statement is true, accurate and complete.

Provisions relating to pension arrangements.

51.— (1) Subject to subsection (4), in relation to Debt Settlement Arrangements and Personal Insolvency Arrangements, where a debtor has an interest in or an entitlement under a relevant pension arrangement, such interest or entitlement of the debtor shall not be treated as an asset of the debtor unless subsection (2) applies.

(2) Where this section applies and a debtor has an interest in or entitlement under a relevant pension arrangement which would, if the debtor performed an act or exercised an option, cause that debtor to receive from or at the request of the person administering that relevant pension arrangement—

(a) an income, or

(b) an amount of money other than income,

in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 , that debtor shall be considered as being in receipt of such income or amount of money.

(3) Subsection (2) applies where the debtor—

(a) is entitled at the date of the making of the application for a protective certificate,

(b) was entitled at any time before the date of the making of the application for a protective certificate, or

(c) will become entitled within 6 years and 6 months of the date of the making of the application for a protective certificate in relation to a Debt Settlement Arrangement or within 7 years and 6 months of the date of the making of the application for a protective certificate in relation to a Personal Insolvency Arrangement,

to perform the act or exercise the option referred to in subsection (2).

(4) Nothing in subsections (1) to (3) shall remove the obligation of a debtor making an application for a protective certificate to make disclosure of any interest in or entitlement under a relevant pension arrangement in completing the Prescribed Financial Statement.

Personal insolvency practitioner to advise debtor.

52.— (1) On completion of the Prescribed Financial Statement in accordance with section 50 , the personal insolvency practitioner shall, on the basis of the information disclosed to him or her by the debtor under section 50 (1), advise the debtor of the following:

(a) his or her options for addressing his or her financial difficulties;

(b) his or her eligibility under section 57 or 91 , as the case may be, to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, as the case may be;

(c) the personal insolvency practitioner’s opinion as to whether it would be more appropriate for the debtor to enter into a Personal Insolvency Arrangement or a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) The advice referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall include advice relating to—

(a) the appropriateness or otherwise of the debtor making a proposal for and entering into an arrangement, having regard to such matters as the personal insolvency practitioner considers relevant, but in any case, including—

(i) the debtor’s financial and other circumstances as set out in the Prescribed Financial Statement,

(ii) whether the debtor is likely to be able to meet the financial commitment associated with an arrangement on an ongoing basis, in particular having regard to the debtor’s payment capacity at and before the time at which the advice is being given,

(iii) the nature and extent of the debts owed by the debtor to his or her creditors and, in the case of secured debts (if any), the nature of the security,

(iv) the complexity of the debtor’s case, and

(v) the likelihood, in the personal insolvency practitioner’s opinion, of an arrangement being formulated on terms that would provide, for the debtor and a majority of his or her creditors, an acceptable alternative to the debtor’s bankruptcy;

(b) the general effect of making a proposal for, and of entering into, an arrangement, including as to the effect on the debtor’s credit rating;

(c) the consequences for the debtor of entering into an arrangement if the debtor does not comply with the terms of that arrangement;

(d) the other option or options (if any) available to the debtor and the general effect of any such option or options, including advice relating to—

(i) negotiation with a creditor or creditors with a view to adjusting the terms of a debt owed to that creditor or creditors, whether as part of any arrears process or otherwise,

(ii) becoming a specified debtor as respects a Debt Relief Notice, and

(iii) bankruptcy.

(3) In advising the debtor under subsection (1)(c) of the appropriateness of entering into a Personal Insolvency Arrangement or a Debt Settlement Arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner shall have regard to—

(a) the value of the debtor’s unsecured debts as compared to the value of the debtor’s secured debts (if any),

(b) if applicable, whether the debtor has communicated with his or her secured creditors for the purpose of seeking to renegotiate or restructure the secured debts,

(c) whether the debtor has co-operated in good faith with his or her creditors who are secured creditors as respects the debtor’s principal private residence in connection with any process relating to mortgage arrears operated by the secured creditors concerned which has been approved or required by the Central Bank of Ireland and which relates to the secured debt concerned,

(d) whether any of the debtor’s secured creditors have indicated to the debtor or the personal insolvency practitioner a willingness to vary the terms of the secured debt to facilitate the operation of a Debt Settlement Arrangement in respect of the debtor’s unsecured debts (including, without limitation, any variation of the terms of the secured debt that would reduce the amounts payable by the debtor in respect of the secured debt for the duration of the Debt Settlement Arrangement),

(e) where the debtor has proposed, but not entered into, a Debt Settlement Arrangement in respect of his or her unsecured debts, the terms of such proposal and the result of the creditors’ meeting to consider such proposal, and

(f) where the debtor has entered into a Debt Settlement Arrangement in respect of his or her unsecured debts that has come to an end, failed or otherwise terminated, the circumstances of such ending, failure or other termination.

(4) The personal insolvency practitioner shall confirm his or her advice under subsection (1)(c) in writing to the debtor.

(5) Where the advice of a personal insolvency practitioner under subsection (1) is that the debtor should not make a proposal for, or enter into, an arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner shall notify the Insolvency Service of that fact, and the appointment of the personal insolvency practitioner under section 49 (3) shall come to an end.

Instruction by debtor to personal insolvency practitioner to make proposal for arrangement.

53.— Where a debtor, having received advice under section 52 (1), considers that he or she should make a proposal for an arrangement, he or she shall instruct the personal insolvency practitioner in writing to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, as the case may be, on his or her behalf in accordance with Chapter 3 or 4 , as the case may be.

Statement to be prepared by personal insolvency practitioner.

54.— On receipt of an instruction under section 53 , the personal insolvency practitioner shall complete a statement confirming that he or she is of the opinion that—

(a) the information contained in the debtor’s Prescribed Financial Statement is complete and accurate;

(b) the debtor is eligible under section 57 or 91 , as the case may be, to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement or Personal Insolvency Arrangement, as the case may be;

(c) having considered the Personal Financial Statement completed by the debtor, there is no likelihood of the debtor becoming solvent within the period of 5 years commencing on the date on which the statement is made;

(d) having regard to the debtor’s circumstances as set out in the Prescribed Financial Statement, it is appropriate for the debtor to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement as there is a reasonable prospect that the debtor entering into such an arrangement would facilitate the debtor becoming solvent within a period of not more than 5 years or, as the case may be, it is appropriate for the debtor to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement as there is a reasonable prospect that the debtor entering into such an arrangement would facilitate the debtor becoming solvent within a period of not more than 5 years.

Chapter 3

Debt Settlement Arrangements

Debt Settlement Arrangement: General Conditions.

55.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a debtor who satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 may make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement with one or more of his or her creditors in respect of the payment or satisfaction of his or her debts.

(2) A proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be made on behalf of a debtor by a personal insolvency practitioner in accordance with the provisions of this Part.

(3) Where two or more debtors are jointly party to all of the debts to be covered by a Debt Settlement Arrangement and each of those debtors satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 , those debtors may jointly propose a Debt Settlement Arrangement and, unless otherwise specified, references in this Chapter to the “debtor” shall be construed as meaning such joint debtors.

(4) (a) A Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not contain any terms that would release the debtor from an excluded debt or otherwise affect such a debt.

(b) A proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not include any terms that, if contained in a Debt Settlement Arrangement that came into effect, would contravene paragraph (a).

(5) Unless otherwise expressly stated, a reference in this Chapter to a debt is a reference to an unsecured debt and a reference to a creditor is a reference to an unsecured creditor.

Debt Settlement Arrangement permitted once only.

56.— A debtor may enter into a Debt Settlement Arrangement once only.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Eligibility criteria.

57.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and this Chapter, a debtor shall not be eligible to make a proposal for a DebtSettlement Arrangement unless he or she satisfies the following criteria—

(a) that the debtor—

(i) is domiciled in the State, or

(ii) within one year before the date of the application for a protective certificate has ordinarily—

(I) resided in the State, or

(II) had a place of business in the State;

(b) that the debtor is insolvent;

(c) that the debtor has completed a Prescribed Financial Statement and has made a statutory declaration confirming that the statement is a complete and accurate statement of the debtor’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure;

(d) that the personal insolvency practitioner has completed a statement under section 54 in respect of the debtor;

(e) that the debtor is not—

(i) an undischarged bankrupt,

(ii) a discharged bankrupt subject to a bankruptcy payment order,

(iii) a person who is a specified debtor as respects a Debt Relief Notice which is in effect,

(iv) a person who, as a debtor, is subject to a Personal Insolvency Arrangement which is in effect, or

(v) a person who, as a debtor, is subject to an arrangement under the control of the court under Part IV of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 ;

(f) that the debtor has not—

(i) been the subject of a protective certificate issued under section 61 less than 12 months prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate,

(ii) had his or her debts discharged pursuant to section 46 (1) less than 3 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate,

(iii) had his or her debts discharged pursuant to a Personal Insolvency Arrangement less than 5 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate, or

(iv) been discharged from bankruptcy less than 5 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate.

(2) The criterion specified in subsection (1)(f) shall not apply where the debtor has, on notice to the Insolvency Service, made an application to the appropriate court and the court has made an order stating that it is satisfied that the current insolvency of the debtor arises by reason of exceptional circumstances or other factors which are substantially outside the control of the debtor and that it would be just to permit the debtor to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(3) A debtor shall not be eligible to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement where 25 per cent or more of his or her debts (other than excluded debts and secured debts) were incurred during the period of 6 months ending on the date on which an application is made under section 59 for a protective certificate.

Creditor consent required for inclusion of excludable debt in Debt Settlement Arrangement.

58.— (1) An excludable debt shall be included in a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement only where the creditor concerned has consented, or is deemed to have consented, in accordance with this section, to the inclusion of that debt in such a proposal.

(2) Where a personal insolvency practitioner proposes to include an excludable debt in a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement, he or she shall, without delay, notify the creditor concerned of that fact, which notification shall be accompanied by—

(a) such information about the debtor’s affairs (including his or her creditors, debts, liabilities, income and assets) as may be prescribed, and

(b) a request in writing that the creditor confirm, in writing, whether or not the creditor consents, for the purposes of this section, to the inclusion of the debt in a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(3) Subject to subsection (6), a creditor shall comply with a request under subsection (2)(b) within 21 days of receipt of the notification under that subsection.

(4) Where a creditor does not comply with subsection (3), the creditor shall be deemed to have consented to the inclusion of that debt in a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(5) Where a creditor consents or is deemed to have consented, in accordance with this section, to the inclusion of an excludable debt in a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement, that creditor shall be entitled to vote at any creditors’ meeting called to consider that proposal.

(6) Where the debtor concerned is the subject of a protective certificate, and a creditor to whom this section applies brings an application under section 63 (1) in respect of that protective certificate, the period referred to in subsection (3) shall not commence until the date on which the appropriate court determines the application.

(7) An excludable debt shall not be the subject of a Debt Settlement Arrangement unless it is a permitted debt.

(8) In this Chapter, “permitted debt” means an excludable debt to which subsection (1) applies.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Application for protective certificate.

59.— (1) Where a personal insolvency practitioner has been instructed pursuant to section 53 to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner shall notify the Insolvency Service of the debtor’s intention to propose a Debt Settlement Arrangement and apply on behalf of the debtor for a protective certificate.

(2) The application referred to in subsection (1) shall be in such form as may be specified by the Insolvency Service and shall be accompanied by such fee (if any) as may be prescribed and the following documents:

(a) the statement of the personal insolvency practitioner prepared under section 54 ;

(b) a document signed by the debtor confirming that he or she satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 ;

(d) the Prescribed Financial Statement;

(e) a schedule of the creditors of the debtor and the debts concerned, stating in relation to each such creditor—

(i) the amount of each debt due to that creditor,

(ii) whether, as respects the debt concerned, the creditor is a secured creditor and, if so, the nature of the security concerned, and

(iii) such other information as may be prescribed;

(f) the debtor’s written consent to—

(i) the disclosure to the Insolvency Service,

(ii) the processing by the Insolvency Service, and

(iii) the disclosure by the Insolvency Service to creditors of the debtor concerned,

of personal data of that debtor, to the extent necessary in respect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement procedure provided for in this Chapter;

(g) the debtor’s written consent to the making of any enquiry under section 60 relating to the debtor by the Insolvency Service.

(3) An application under this section may be withdrawn by the personal insolvency practitioner at any time prior to the issue of a protective certificate under section 61 .

(4) Where a personal insolvency practitioner becomes aware of any inaccuracy or omission in an application under this section or any document accompanying such an application, he or she shall inform the Insolvency Service of this fact as soon as practicable and the Insolvency Service shall have regard to any information provided under this subsection for the purposes of its consideration of the application.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Consideration by Insolvency Service of application for protective certificate.

60.— (1) In its consideration of an application under section 59 , the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to request any further information it requires from the debtor or personal insolvency practitioner and to defer further consideration of the application until such information is furnished to it.

(2) Where a debtor or personal insolvency practitioner fails to provide the information requested by the Insolvency Service under subsection (1) within 14 days or such longer period as the Insolvency Service may permit the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), in considering the application for a protective certificate, the Insolvency Service shall make such enquiries as it considers necessary to satisfy itself:

(a) that the personal insolvency practitioner is a person entitled to act as a personal insolvency practitioner;

(b) having regard to the documents which are required to accompany the application for a protective certificate—

(i) that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for making a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement specified in section 57 , and

(ii) the application does not appear to be frivolous or an attempt to frustrate the efforts of creditors to recover debts due to them.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), for the purposes of subsection (3) the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to presume that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Debt Settlement Arrangement specified in section 57 if the documents required to be lodged with the Insolvency Service have been so lodged and the Insolvency Service has no reason to believe that the information supplied in or in support of the application for a protective certificate is incomplete or inaccurate.

(5) The Insolvency Service may make such enquiries as it considers necessary to verify the completeness or accuracy of any matter referred to in the Prescribed Financial Statement of the debtor or in relation to the assets, liabilities, income or expenditure of the debtor.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5) the matters in respect of which the Insolvency Service may make an enquiry include the following:

(a) particulars relating to bank accounts, securities accounts or other accounts held, solely or jointly, by or for the benefit of the debtor with financial institutions or financial intermediaries in the State or abroad;

(b) particulars relating to assets of the debtor and the value of such assets;

(d) the employment and income of the debtor;

(e) payments received by the debtor from the Department of Social Protection or other Departments of State or other State bodies or agencies and whether or not such payments are made as agent of any other person;

(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Insolvency Service to make an enquiry in any case.

(8) A person who receives an enquiry from the Insolvency Service pursuant to this section shall be under a duty to furnish the information requested as soon as reasonably practicable.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, for the purposes of the performance of the functions of the Insolvency Service under this Chapter information held by a Department of State, the Revenue Commissioners, a local authority or any other State body or agency in relation to a debtor may be furnished to the Insolvency Service.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Referral of application to court for issue of protective certificate.

61.— (1) Where the Insolvency Service, following its consideration under section 60 —

(a) is satisfied that an application under section 59 is in order, it shall—

(i) issue a certificate to that effect,

(ii) furnish that certificate together with a copy of the application and supporting documentation to the appropriate court, and

(iii) notify the personal insolvency practitioner to that effect,

and

(b) is not so satisfied, it shall notify the personal insolvency practitioner to that effect and request him or her, within 21 days from the date of the notification, to submit a revised application or to confirm that the application has been withdrawn.

(2) Where the appropriate court receives the application for a protective certificate and accompanying documentation pursuant to subsection (1)(a), it shall consider the application and documentation and, subject to subsection (3)—

(a) if satisfied that the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 have been satisfied, and the other relevant requirements relating to an application for the issue of a protective certificate have been met, shall issue a protective certificate, and

(b) if not so satisfied, shall refuse to issue a protective certificate.

(4) A hearing referred to in subsection (3), unless the appropriate court considers it appropriate to hold it in public, shall be held otherwise than in public.

(5) Subject to subsections (6) and (7) and section 76 (2), a protective certificate shall be in force for a period of 70 days from the date of its issue.

(6) Where a protective certificate has been issued pursuant to subsection (2)(a), the appropriate court may, on application to that court by the personal insolvency practitioner, extend the period of the protective certificate by an additional period not exceeding 40 days where—

(a) the debtor and the personal insolvency practitioner satisfy the court that they have acted in good faith and with reasonable expedition, and

(b) the court is satisfied that it is likely that a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement which is likely—

(i) to be accepted by the creditors, and

(ii) to be successfully completed by the debtor,

will be made if the extension is granted.

(7) Where a protective certificate has been issued pursuant to subsection (2)(a) or extended under subsection (6), the appropriate court may on application to that court extend the period of the protective certificate by a further additional period not exceeding 40 days where—

(a) the personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed in accordance with section 49 (7), and

(b) the court is satisfied that the extension is necessary to enable the personal insolvency practitioner so appointed to perform his or her functions under this Chapter.

(8) A hearing held under subsection (7) shall be held with all due expedition.

(9) The period of a protective certificate may be extended under subsection (7) once only.

(10) The registrar of the appropriate court shall notify the Insolvency Service and the personal insolvency practitioner concerned where the court—

(a) issues or extends a protective certificate under this section,

(b) refuses to issue or extend a protective certificate under this section, or

(11) Where a protective certificate is issued under this section, the Insolvency Service shall—

(a) enter details of the name and address of the debtor and the date of issue of the protective certificate, and

(b) where applicable, the extension under this section of the protective certificate,

together with such other details as may be prescribed under section 133 (3)(b), in the Register of Protective Certificates.

(12) On receipt of a notification under subsection (10) of a decision of the court referred to in that subsection, the personal insolvency practitioner shall notify each of the creditors specified in the schedule of creditors of that decision and, in the case of a decision to issue a protective certificate, the notification by the personal insolvency practitioner shall contain a statement—

(a) that the debtor intends to make a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement,

(b) of the effect of the protective certificate under section 62 , and

(13) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (5), (6) and (7), a protective certificate that is in force on the date on which a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement is approved in accordance with section 73 shall continue in force until it ceases to have effect in accordance with section 76 .

(14) A protective certificate issued under this section shall—

(a) specify—

(i) the name of the debtor who is the subject of it,

(ii) the debts (“specified debts”) which are subject to it, and

(iii) the name of each creditor to whom a specified debt is owed,

and

(b) contain such other information as may be prescribed.

(15) In considering an application under this section the appropriate court shall be entitled to treat a certificate issued by the Insolvency Service under subsection (1) as evidence of the matters certified therein.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Effect of issue of protective certificate.

62.— (1) Subject to subsections (3), (4), (5) and (8), a creditor to whom notice of the issue of a protective certificate has been given shall not, whilst the protective certificate remains in force, in relation to a specified debt—

(a) initiate any legal proceedings;

(b) take any step to prosecute legal proceedings already initiated;

(d) execute or enforce a judgment or order of a court or tribunal against the debtor;

(e) take any step to recover goods in the possession or custody of the debtor, unless title to the goods is vested in the creditor or the creditor holds security over the goods;

(f) contact the debtor regarding payment of the specified debt, otherwise than at the request of the debtor;

(g) in relation to an agreement with the debtor, other than a security agreement, by reason only that the debtor is insolvent or that the protective certificate has been issued—

(i) terminate or amend that agreement, or

(ii) claim an accelerated payment under that agreement.

(2) Whilst a protective certificate remains in force, no bankruptcy petition relating to the debtor—

(a) may be presented by a creditor to whom subsection (1) applies in respect of a specified debt,

(b) in a case where the petition has been presented by such a creditor in respect of a specified debt, may be proceeded with.

(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2), and subject to section 68 , whilst a protective certificate remains in force, no other proceedings and no execution or other legal process in respect of a specified debt may be commenced or continued by a creditor to whom subsection (1) applies against the debtor or his or her property, except with the leave of the court and subject to any order the court may make to stay such proceedings, enforcement or execution for such period as the court deems appropriate pending the outcome of attempts to reach a Debt Settlement Arrangement, but this subsection shall not operate to prohibit the commencement or continuation of any criminal proceedings against the debtor.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the fact that a protective certificate is in force in relation to a debtor under this Chapter shall not operate to prevent a creditor taking the actions referred to in subsection (1) as respects another person who has guaranteed the debts of the debtor to which the protective certificate relates.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the fact that a protective certificate is in force in relation to a debtor under this Chapter shall not operate to prevent a creditor taking the actions referred to in subsection (3) as respects a person who has jointly contracted with the debtor or is jointly liable with the debtor to the creditor and that other person may sue or be sued in respect of the contract without joining the debtor.

(6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply where a protective certificate is also in force as respects the other person.

(7) In reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any proceedings or process to which subsection (1) or (3) applies (including any limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the protective certificate concerned is in force under section 61 shall be disregarded.

(8) A secured debt shall not be subject to or affected by a protective certificate under this Chapter.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Right of appeal as respects protective certificate.

63.— (1) Where a creditor is aggrieved by the issue of a protective certificate that creditor may within 14 days of the giving of notice of the issue of the protective certificate to that creditor apply to the appropriate court for an order directing that the protective certificate shall not apply to that creditor.

(2) A creditor who brings an application under subsection (1) shall give notice to the Insolvency Service and the relevant personal insolvency practitioner and to such other persons as the court may direct of that fact, and the application shall be made in such form as is provided for in rules of court.

(3) In determining an application under this section the court shall not make an order directing that the protective certificate shall not apply to that creditor unless it is satisfied that—

(a) not making such an order would cause irreparable loss to the creditor which would not otherwise occur, and

(b) no other creditor to whom notice of the protective certificate has been given would be unfairly prejudiced.

(4) In determining the costs of the application the court shall have regard to the objective that all the parties to such an application should bear their own costs unless to do so would cause a serious injustice to the parties to the application.

(5) Where the court makes an order under this section, the court shall, unless it considers that there are good reasons not to do so, direct the creditor to hold any moneys or other assets recovered in trust for the benefit of the other creditors to whom the protective certificate applies, pending a further direction on the matter by the court.

(6) A hearing under subsection (1) shall be held with all due expedition.

Actions to be taken by personal insolvency practitioner following issue of protective certificate.

64.— (1) Where a protective certificate has been issued, the personal insolvency practitioner shall as soon as practicable thereafter—

(a) give written notice to the creditors concerned that the personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed by the debtor for the purpose of making a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement and, subject to section 67 (2), invite those creditors to make submissions to the personal insolvency practitioner regarding the debts concerned and the manner in which the debts might be dealt with as part of a Debt Settlement Arrangement, and such notice shall be accompanied by the debtor’s completed Prescribed Financial Statement,

(b) consider any submissions made by creditors in accordance with paragraph (a) regarding the debts and the manner in which the debts might be dealt with as part of a Debt Settlement Arrangement, including any submission made by a creditor with respect to previous or existing offers of arrangements made by the creditor to or with the debtor, and

(2) (a) A personal insolvency practitioner may in any case request a creditor to file a proof of debt and the debt shall be proved in the same manner as a debt of a bankrupt is proved under the Bankruptcy Act 1988 and, subject to subsection (3), paragraphs 1 to 22 of the First Schedule of that Act shall apply with all necessary modifications to the proof of such debts.

(b) Subject to paragraph (c), a creditor who does not comply with a request under paragraph (a) is not entitled to—

(i) vote at a meeting referred to in section 72 or 82 , or

(ii) share in any distribution that may be made under the Debt Settlement Arrangement concerned.

(c) Where a creditor to whom paragraph (b) applies files a proof of debt in the manner specified in paragraph (a), paragraph (b) shall cease to apply, but without prejudice to anything done while that paragraph applied.

(3) In applying the First Schedule of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 to proof of debts under this section—

(a) a reference in that Schedule to the Court and the Official Assignee shall be read as a reference to the personal insolvency practitioner, and

(b) a reference to a bankrupt shall be read as the reference to the debtor to whom the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement relates.

Mandatory requirements concerning Debt Settlement Arrangement.

65.— (1) Subject to the mandatory requirements referred to in subsection (2), the terms of a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be those which are agreed to by the debtor and, subject to this Chapter, approved by a majority of the debtor’s creditors in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) The mandatory requirements referred to in subsection (1) are:

(a) the maximum duration of a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be 60 months but a Debt Settlement Arrangement may provide that this period may be extended for a further period of not more than 12 months in such circumstances as are specified in the terms of the Debt Settlement Arrangement;

(b) where the debtor performs all of his or her obligations specified in a Debt Settlement Arrangement, he or she shall stand discharged from the remainder of the debts covered by the Debt Settlement Arrangement;

(c) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not require the debtor to sell any of his or her assets that are reasonably necessary for the debtor’s employment, business or vocation unless the debtor explicitly consents to such sale;

(d) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not contain any terms which would require the debtor to make payments of such an amount that the debtor would not have sufficient income to maintain a reasonable standard of living for the debtor and his or her dependants;

(e) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall—

(i) make provision for the costs and outlays of the personal insolvency practitioner which relate to the matters referred to in sections 48 to 53 and this Chapter and to the ongoing administration of the Arrangement,

(ii) indicate the likely amount of the fees, costs and outlays to be incurred, or where this is not practicable, the basis on which those fees, costs and outlays will be calculated, and

(iii) specify the person or persons by whom those fees, costs and charges are payable and the manner in which they have been or are to be paid;

(f) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall make provision for the manner in which the debtor’s debts are to be treated in the event of the death or mental incapacity of the debtor;

(g) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not require that the debtor dispose of his or her interest in his or her principal private residence or to cease to occupy such residence unless the provisions of section 69 (3) apply;

(h) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall provide that the circumstances of the debtor be reviewed by the personal insolvency practitioner at regular intervals which are specified in the Arrangement (which intervals are not greater than 12 months) during the currency of the Debt Settlement Arrangement;

(i) a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall provide that the review referred to in paragraph (h) shall include the preparation by the debtor of a new Prescribed Financial Statement, a copy of which together with a statement by the personal insolvency practitioner as to whether he or she considers that statement to be complete and accurate, shall be sent by the personal insolvency practitioner to each creditor;

(j) the terms of a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall specify the circumstances where the personal insolvency practitioner shall be obliged to propose a variation of the Debt Settlement Arrangement in accordance with section 82 .

(3) The Insolvency Service may publish a Code of Practice providing guidance on any of the matters set out in subsection (2).

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2)(d), and without prejudice to subsection (3), in determining whether a debtor would have sufficient income to maintain a reasonable standard of living for the debtor and his or her dependants under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, regard shall be had to any guidelines issued under section 23 .

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Non-exhaustive list of matters for possible inclusion.

66.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement may incorporate one or more of the options in subsection (2) with respect to payments to creditors.

(2) The terms of a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement may include any one or more of the following:

(a) a lump sum payment to creditors, whether provided from the debtor’s own resources or from the resources of other persons;

(b) a payment arrangement with creditors;

(c) an agreement by the debtor to transfer some or all of the debtor’s property to a person (who may be the personal insolvency practitioner) to hold the property in trust for the benefit of the creditors;

(d) a transfer of specified assets of the debtor to creditors generally or to a specified creditor;

(e) a sale of specified assets of the debtor by the personal insolvency practitioner and the payment of the proceeds of such sale to creditors.

(3) Unless provision is otherwise made in the Debt Settlement Arrangement, and subject to section 67 , the arrangement shall provide for payments to creditors to be made on a pari passu basis, and where so otherwise provided the Debt Settlement Arrangement shall specify the reasons for such provision being made.

(4) Unless provision is otherwise made in the Debt Settlement Arrangement, where an Arrangement provides for payments to a creditor to whom section 58 applies that are greater than the payments that creditor would receive if such payments were made on a pari passu basis, the fees, costs and charges referred to in section 65 (2)(e) shall be payable by that creditor in proportion to the payments received by him or her.

(5) The payment of moneys or the performance of obligations provided for by a Debt Settlement Arrangement may be secured by a charge or a guarantee given by the debtor or a charge or guarantee given by a person other than the debtor.

(6) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the terms of a Debt Settlement Arrangement may include provisions relating to payments other than those specified in this section.

Preferential debts in Debt Settlement Arrangement.

67.— (1) Unless the creditor concerned otherwise agrees in writing and provision is so made in the terms of the Debt Settlement Arrangement, a preferential debt shall, subject to subsection (3), be paid in priority by the debtor and where those debts are to be paid in priority the provisions of section 81 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 shall apply with all necessary modifications.

(2) In notifying creditors of the issue of a protective certificate, the personal insolvency practitioner shall indicate that any creditor who considers some or all of his or her debt to be a preferential debt is required to furnish evidence of the circumstances of how that debt or part of that debt is claimed to be a preferential debt within such reasonable period as may be specified, and that in the absence of such evidence, the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement may be prepared on the basis that the debt concerned is not a preferential debt.

(3) Where a creditor fails to satisfy the personal insolvency practitioner that his or her debt is a preferential debt, the debt shall be treated as not being a preferential debt for the purposes of a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(4) In this Chapter, “preferential debt” means a debt which, if the debtor concerned were a bankrupt would be a debt—

(a) that by virtue of section 81 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 is to be paid in priority to all other debts, or

(b) that by virtue of any other statutory provision is to be included among such debts.

Secured creditors and Debt Settlement Arrangement.

68.— (1) Subject to this section and section 62 , nothing in this Chapter affects the right of a secured creditor of the debtor to enforce or otherwise deal with his or her security.

(2) A secured creditor of the debtor may not participate in a Debt Settlement Arrangement with respect to a secured debt.

(3) Subsection (2) shall not operate to prevent the debtor or the personal insolvency practitioner from liaising or sharing information (including a copy of the debtor’s Prescribed Financial Statement and information relating to a proposed or existing Debt Settlement Arrangement) with a secured creditor in connection with a proposed or existing Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, a secured creditor shall not be deemed to participate in or otherwise be bound by a Debt Settlement Arrangement as a result of entering into an agreement with the debtor to vary the terms of the secured debt following contact between the secured creditor and debtor, or as applicable, the personal insolvency practitioner as referred to in subsection (3) (including, without limitation, any variation of the terms of the secured debt that would reduce the amounts payable by the debtor in respect of the secured debt for the duration of the Debt Settlement Arrangement).

Principal private residence in Debt Settlement Arrangement.

69.— (1) In formulating a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement a personal insolvency practitioner shall, insofar as reasonably practicable, and having regard to the matters referred to in subsection (2), formulate the proposal on terms that will not require the debtor to—

(a) dispose of an interest in, or

(b) cease to occupy,

all or a part of his or her principal private residence and the personal insolvency practitioner shall consider any appropriate alternatives.

(2) The matters referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) the costs likely to be incurred by the debtor by remaining in occupation of his or her principal private residence (including rent, mortgage loan repayments, insurance payments, owners’ management company service charges and contributions, taxes or other charges relating to ownership or occupation of the property imposed by or under statute, and necessary maintenance in respect of the principal private residence),

(b) the debtor’s income and other financial circumstances as disclosed in the Prescribed Financial Statement,

(c) the ability of other persons residing with the debtor in the principal private residence to contribute to the costs referred to in paragraph (a), and

(d) the reasonable living accommodation needs of the debtor and his or her dependants and having regard to those needs the cost of alternative accommodation (including the costs which would necessarily be incurred in obtaining such accommodation).

(3) Where—

(a) the debtor confirms in writing to the personal insolvency practitioner that the debtor does not wish to remain in occupation of his or her principal private residence; or

(b) the personal insolvency practitioner, has, having discussed the issue with the debtor, formed the opinion that, taking account of the matters referred to in subsection (2), the costs of continuing to reside in the debtor’s principal private residence are disproportionately large,

the personal insolvency practitioner shall not be required to formulate the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement on terms that will not require the debtor to cease to occupy his or her principal private residence.

(4) A Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not contain terms providing for a disposal of the debtor’s interest in the principal private residence unless:

(a) the debtor has obtained independent legal advice in relation to such disposal or, having been advised by the personal insolvency practitioner to obtain such legal advice, has declined to do so; and

(b) to the extent that the provisions of the Family Home Protection Act 1976 or the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 apply to the property, all relevant provisions of those Acts are complied with.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Calling of creditors’ meeting.

70.— (1) Where a personal insolvency practitioner has prepared a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement and the debtor has consented to that proposal and the calling of a creditors’ meeting, the personal insolvency practitioner shall arrange for the holding of a meeting of the creditors of the debtor for the purpose of considering the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) When calling a creditors’ meeting under this section, the personal insolvency practitioner shall do so in accordance with any regulations under section 74 and, in any case, shall—

(a) give each creditor at least 14 days written notice of the meeting and the date on which, and time and place at which, the meeting will be held,

(b) ensure that the notice referred to in paragraph (a) is accompanied by a copy of each of the documents referred to in section 71 , and

(c) lodge a copy of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) and the documents referred to in section 71 with the Insolvency Service.

(3) Where a creditors’ meeting referred to in subsection (1) does not take place before the expiry of the protective certificate, the Debt Settlement Arrangement procedure shall be deemed to have come to an end.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Documents to be given to creditors and the Insolvency Service when calling a creditors’ meeting.

71.— (1) The documents referred to in section 70 (2)(b) are—

(a) a completed statement of the debtor’s financial affairs, showing the debtor’s position of insolvency, in the form of the Prescribed Financial Statement;

(b) a document containing the terms of the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement;

(i) he or she has been instructed by the debtor to act as personal insolvency practitioner in connection with the Debt Settlement Arrangement procedure, he or she has consented to so act and that he or she is a person entitled to act as a personal insolvency practitioner,

(ii) he or she has advised the debtor in accordance with section 52 of the debtor’s options for managing the debtor’s financial difficulties,

(iii) he or she is not aware of any reasonable grounds to believe that the information contained in the debtor’s Prescribed Financial Statement is not complete and accurate, and

(iv) he or she is of the opinion that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for the proposal of a Debt Settlement Arrangement specified in section 57 ;

(d) a report of the personal insolvency practitioner—

(i) describing the outcome for creditors and, having regard to the financial circumstances of the debtor, whether or not the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement represents a fair outcome for the creditors, and indicating, where relevant, how that financial outcome for creditors, (whether individually or as a member of a class of creditors) under the terms of the proposal is likely to be better than the estimated financial outcome for such creditors if the debtor were to be adjudicated a bankrupt (having regard to, amongst other things, the estimated costs of the bankruptcy process), and

(ii) indicating whether or not he or she is of the opinion that the debtor is reasonably likely to be able to comply with the terms of the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) Where a debtor’s financial position has materially changed in the period between the completion by him or her of a Prescribed Financial Statement under section 50 and the sending of the notice under section 70 (2)—

(a) the debtor shall inform the personal insolvency practitioner of that fact, and

(b) the personal insolvency practitioner shall, if he or she considers that the change merits the completion of a new Prescribed Financial Statement, assist the debtor in completing such a new Statement, which shall accompany the notice under section 70 (2).

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Conduct of creditors’ meeting.

72.— (1) A creditors’ meeting called by the personal insolvency practitioner for the purpose of approving a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement given to the creditors under section 70 (3) shall be conducted in accordance with section 74 and any regulations made under that section.

(2) The personal insolvency practitioner may, where he or she believes it is in the interests of obtaining approval of a proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement by the creditors at the meeting, adjourn the meeting and, with the consent in writing of the debtor, shall prepare an amended proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(3) Where the personal insolvency practitioner prepares an amended proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement pursuant to subsection (2) he or she shall—

(a) notify the debtor of the date on which, and time and place at which, the adjourned meeting will be held,

(b) at least 7 days before the day of the adjourned meeting, unless all of the creditors agree in writing to receive a shorter period of notice, notify each creditor of the date on which, and time and place at which, the adjourned meeting will be held,

(c) ensure that the notices referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) are accompanied by a copy of the amended proposal, and

(d) lodge a copy of the notice referred to in paragraph (b) and a copy of the amended proposal with the Insolvency Service.

(4) An adjournment for the purpose of preparing an amended proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement pursuant to subsection (2) may occur once only in the course of the period of validity of a protective certificate (including any extension of such period).

(5) Subject to subsection (6), creditors at a meeting under this section, having considered a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall vote, in accordance with section 73 , either by voting in favour or against the approval of the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(6) Subject to subsection (2), the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement may, before the proposal has been voted upon, be subject to a proposal for a modification where the modification addresses an ambiguity or rectifies an error in the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement and where—

(a) the modification has been proposed by a creditor or the personal insolvency practitioner, and

(b) the debtor gives his or her written consent to the modification.

(7) Where, on the taking of a vote under subsection (5), the proposal is not approved in accordance with section 73 , the Debt Settlement Arrangement procedure shall be deemed to have come to an end, and the protective certificate issued under section 61 shall cease to have effect.

(8) Where only one creditor is entitled to vote at the creditors’ meeting (whether in respect of one or more debts), the requirement to hold a creditors’ meeting may be satisfied where the creditor concerned notifies the personal insolvency practitioner in writing of that creditor’s approval or otherwise of the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Voting at creditors’ meeting.

73.— (1) A vote held under section 72 (5) shall be held in accordance with this section and regulations under section 74 .

(2) The voting rights exercisable by a creditor at a creditors’ meeting shall be proportionate to the amount of the debt due by the debtor to the creditor on the day the protective certificate is issued.

(3) A creditor to whom a preferential debt is owed shall not be entitled to vote in respect of that debt in favour of a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement at a creditors’ meeting unless that creditor has furnished to the personal insolvency practitioner a waiver in writing of the creditor’s right to have that debt treated as a preferential debt.

(4) A creditor who is a connected person of the debtor may not vote in favour of a proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement at a creditors’ meeting.

(5) Subject to any regulations made under section 74 relating to proxies, for the purposes of this section, only the person who appears to the personal insolvency practitioner to be the owner of the debt (or an agent acting on behalf of that person) shall be entitled to receive notices required to be sent to a creditor under this Chapter or to vote at the creditors’ meeting.

(6) A proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be considered as having been approved by a creditors’ meeting held under this Chapter where a majority of creditors representing not less than 65 per cent in value of the total of the debtor’s debts due to the creditors participating in the meeting and voting have voted in favour of the proposal.

(7) Where no creditor votes, the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be deemed to have been approved under this section.

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Procedures for the conduct of creditors’ meetings.

74.— (1) The Minister may make regulations relating to the holding of creditors’ meetings under this Chapter, and without prejudice to the generality of the Minister’s power under this section, such regulations may provide for—

(a) the holding of a meeting in circumstances where not all of the creditors are present in the same venue,

(b) the voting process including providing for the communication of creditors’ votes to the personal insolvency practitioner by telephony or electronically, and

(2) The venue for the holding of a creditors’ meeting shall be situated within the State.

(3) The period of notice of the meeting of creditors may be waived or abridged where the consent of all the creditors to such waiver or abridgement is given in writing.

Steps to be taken by personal insolvency practitioner following approval of proposal for Debt Settlement Arrangement.

75.— (1) Where a Debt Settlement Arrangement is approved at a creditors’ meeting in accordance with section 73 , the personal insolvency practitioner shall as soon as practicable after the meeting has concluded notify the Insolvency Service and each creditor concerned and enclose with that notification—

(a) a certificate with the result of the vote taken at the creditors’ meeting, identifying the number of votes, in value of the creditors present and voting, in favour and against the proposed Debt Settlement Arrangement, and

(b) a copy of the approved Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) The personal insolvency practitioner shall, in addition to the documents referred to in subsection (1) also send a notice to each creditor indicating that he or she may make objection to the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement by lodging a notice of objection with the appropriate court, within 14 days of the date of the sending of that notice.

(3) A creditor may lodge a notice of objection with the appropriate court within 14 days of the date of the sending by the personal insolvency practitioner of the notice referred to in subsection (2) and shall at the same time send a copy of the notice of objection to—

(a) the Insolvency Service, and

(b) the personal insolvency practitioner.

Steps to be taken by Insolvency Service following notification of approval of Debt Settlement Arrangement by personal insolvency practitioner under section 75 .

76.— (1) On receipt of a notification by the personal insolvency practitioner pursuant to section 75 (1), the Insolvency Service shall record the approval in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements, and notify the appropriate court and furnish to that court a copy of the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) Where the notification of the personal insolvency practitioner is received by the Insolvency Service before the expiry of the period of the protective certificate, such protective certificate shall continue in force until the Debt Settlement Arrangement comes into effect or all objections lodged with the appropriate court pursuant to section 75 (3) have been determined by the court.

Determination of objection lodged under section 75 .

77.— (1) The grounds on which objection may be made to the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement are those specified in section 87 .

(2) The hearing of an objection lodged under section 75 (3) shall be heard with all due expedition.

(3) Where the appropriate court upholds the objection to the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the Debt Settlement Arrangement procedure shall be deemed to have come to an end, and the protective certificate issued under section 61 shall cease to have effect.

Coming into effect of Debt Settlement Arrangement.

78.— (1) Where—

(a) no objection is lodged by a creditor with the appropriate court within 14 days of the giving of the notice referred to in section 75 , or

(b) an objection is lodged with the appropriate court and the matter is determined by the court on the basis that the objection should not be allowed,

the appropriate court shall proceed to consider, in accordance with this section, whether to approve the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) For the purposes of its consideration under subsection (1), the appropriate court shall consider the copy of the Debt Settlement Arrangement furnished to it under section 76 (1) and, subject to subsection (3)—

(a) shall approve the coming into effect of the Arrangement, if satisfied that the—

(i) eligibility criteria specified in section 57 have been satisfied,

(ii) mandatory requirements referred to in section 65 (2) have been complied with,

(iii) Debt Settlement Arrangement does not contain any terms that would release the debtor from an excluded debt, an excludable debt (other than a permitted debt) or a secured debt or otherwise affect such a debt, and

(iv) requisite percentage of creditors referred to in section 73 (6) has approved the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement,

and

(b) if not so satisfied, shall refuse to approve the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(4) A hearing referred to in subsection (3), unless the appropriate court considers it appropriate to hold it in public, shall be held otherwise than in public.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (2), the court may accept—

(a) a certificate issued by the Insolvency Service certifying that the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 have been satisfied as evidence that such eligibility criteria have been satisfied, and

(b) the certificate issued by the personal insolvency practitioner concerned pursuant to section 75 (1) as evidence that the requisite percentage of creditors referred to in section 73 (6) has approved the proposal for a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(6) The registrar of the appropriate court shall notify the Insolvency Service and the personal insolvency practitioner concerned where the court—

(a) approves or refuses to approve the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement under this section, or

(b) decides to hold a hearing referred to in subsection (3).

(7) On receipt of a notification under subsection (6) of the approval of the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the Insolvency Service shall register the Debt Settlement Arrangement in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements.

(8) The Debt Settlement Arrangement shall come into effect upon being registered in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements.

Effect of Debt Settlement Arrangement.

79.— (1) A Debt Settlement Arrangement having been registered in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements shall have effect according to its terms and remain in effect until—

(a) it is completed in accordance with its terms or the terms of any variation made, or

(b) it is terminated in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) While a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect, the following shall be parties to it and, subject to this Act, shall be bound by its terms—

(a) the debtor, and

(b) in respect of every specified debt, the creditor concerned.

(3) Where a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect, a creditor who is bound by it shall not, in relation to a specified debt—

(a) initiate any legal proceedings;

(b) take any step to prosecute legal proceedings already initiated;

(d) execute or enforce a judgment or order of a court or tribunal against the debtor;

(e) take any step to recover goods in the possession or custody of the debtor, unless title to the goods is vested in the creditor or the creditor has security over the goods;

(f) contact the debtor regarding payment of the specified debt otherwise than at the request of the debtor;

(g) in relation to an agreement with the debtor, other than a security agreement, by reason only that the debtor is insolvent or that a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect—

(i) terminate or amend that agreement, or

(ii) claim an accelerated payment under that agreement.

(4) Where a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect, a creditor of that debtor shall not apply for the issue of a summons under section 8 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 or present a petition to have the debtor concerned adjudicated a bankrupt in respect of a debt covered by the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(5) Where a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect, and a creditor of that debtor has applied for the issue of a summons under section 8 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 or has presented a petition to have the debtor concerned adjudicated a bankrupt in respect of a debt covered by the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the creditor shall not proceed with the summons or the petition.

(6) Nothing in subsections (3) and (4) shall operate to prevent a creditor taking the actions referred to in those subsections as respects a person who has jointly contracted with the debtor or is jointly liable with the debtor to the creditor and that other person may sue or be sued in respect of the contract without joining the debtor.

(7) Subsection (6) does not apply where a Debt Settlement Arrangement is also in effect as respects the other person.

(8) In reckoning any period of time for the purpose of any applicable limitation period in relation to any proceedings or process to which this section applies (including any limitation period under the Statute of Limitations 1957), the period in which the Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect shall be disregarded.

(9) The period for which any judgment against the debtor in relation to a debt which is the subject of a Debt Settlement Arrangement has effect (whether under statute or rule of court) shall, subject to the provisions of this Act be extended by the period that the Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect.

(10) Notwithstanding subsections (3) and (4), the fact that a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect in relation to a debtor under this Chapter shall not operate to prevent a creditor taking the actions referred to in subsection (3) or (4) as respects another person who has guaranteed the specified debts concerned.

(11) The Deeds of Arrangement Act 1887 does not apply to a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(12) In this section, “specified debt” means a debt that is specified in a Debt Settlement Arrangement as being subject to that Arrangement.

Operation of terms of Debt Settlement Arrangement.

80.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall operate according to the terms of that Arrangement and a debtor or creditor who is party to that Arrangement shall perform his or her obligations in accordance with its terms.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by the Debt Settlement Arrangement, payments to be made to creditors under the terms of the Arrangement shall be made by the debtor through the personal insolvency practitioner concerned.

(3) The personal insolvency practitioner shall transmit payments received to each of the creditors in the agreed proportion on a timely basis.

(4) The personal insolvency practitioner shall maintain regular contact with the debtor and request such reports and conduct such reviews as may be required, but such review shall in any event be carried out at least once in every period of 12 months.

(5) The personal insolvency practitioner shall monitor implementation of the Arrangement and where the debtor has defaulted or appears likely to default in his or her obligations under the Arrangement, discuss the matter with the debtor.

(6) Where the circumstances of the debtor have changed in a material respect the personal insolvency practitioner shall provide information to the debtor regarding his or her right or obligation to initiate an application to vary the Arrangement in accordance with section 82 .

(7) Where the circumstances of a debtor have changed to such an extent that a variation in the terms of an Arrangement is appropriate, the personal insolvency practitioner shall take the necessary steps to initiate a variation of the Arrangement under section 82 .

(8) The personal insolvency practitioner shall deal with the property of the debtor in accordance with the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(9) The personal insolvency practitioner shall respond in a timely manner to requests for information regarding the operation of the Arrangement from—

(a) the Insolvency Service,

(b) the debtor, and

(10) The personal insolvency practitioner shall maintain complete and accurate records of account of the moneys received from the debtor and the moneys disbursed to the creditors and such moneys shall while in the possession and control of the personal insolvency practitioner be maintained in an account in the State with a bank authorised to carry on business in the State, which account is used solely for the purposes of receiving payments from the debtor and transmitting such payments to creditors (after the deduction of any fees, costs and outlays payable to the personal insolvency practitioner permitted to be made under this Act and in accordance with the Debt Settlement Arrangement).

General duties and obligations of debtor arising under Chapter 3.

81.— (1) A debtor who participates in any process under this Chapter is under an obligation to act in good faith, and in his or her dealings with the personal insolvency practitioner concerned to make full disclosure to that practitioner of all of his or her assets, income and liabilities and of all other circumstances that are reasonably likely to have a bearing on the ability of the debtor to make payments to his or her creditors.

(2) A debtor who participates in any part of the process of applying for or operating a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall co-operate fully in the process, and in particular comply with any reasonable request from the personal insolvency practitioner to provide assistance, documents and information necessary for the application of the process to the debtor’s case or the carrying out of the personal insolvency practitioner’s functions, including any debt, tax, employment, business, social welfare or other financial records.

(3) A debtor in respect of whom a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect is under an obligation to inform the personal insolvency practitioner as soon as reasonably practicable of any material change in the debtor’s circumstances, particularly an increase or decrease in the extent of the debtor’s assets, liabilities or income, which would affect the debtor’s ability to make repayments under the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(4) A debtor in respect of whom a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect shall not, either alone or with any other person, obtain credit in an amount of more than €650 from any person without informing that person that he or she is subject as a debtor to a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(5) A debtor in respect of whom a Debt Settlement Arrangement is in effect shall not transfer, lease, grant security over, or otherwise dispose of any interest in property above a prescribed value otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(6) A debtor shall inform the personal insolvency practitioner as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of any inaccuracy or omission in the debtor’s statement of affairs based on the Prescribed Financial Statement.

(7) A debtor who participates in a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall not pay to creditors any additional payments separate to the Debt Settlement Arrangement in respect of debts covered in the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

Variation of a Debt Settlement Arrangement.

82.— (1) Unless its terms provide otherwise, a Debt Settlement Arrangement may be varied in accordance with this section.

(2) The debtor’s written consent shall be required to any variation of a Debt Settlement Arrangement provided that any unreasonable refusal by the debtor to consent to a variation shall be subject to challenge in accordance with section 87 .

(3) A debtor shall be considered to be acting reasonably where the debtor refuses to consent to a variation of a Debt Settlement Arrangement where that variation would require the debtor—

(a) to make additional payments in excess of 50 per cent of the increase in his or her income available to him or her after the following deductions (where applicable) are made:

(i) income tax;

(ii) social insurance contributions;

(iii) payments made by him or her in respect of excluded debts;

(iv) payments made by him or her in respect of excludable debts that are not permitted debts;

(v) such other levies and charges on income as may be prescribed,

(b) to make a payment amounting to more than 50 per cent of the value of any property acquired by the debtor after the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement unless receipt of that property had been anticipated by the terms of that Arrangement.

(4) Where it appears to the personal insolvency practitioner concerned that there has been a material change in the debtor’s circumstances which would affect his or her ability to make repayments under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner (whether on his or her own initiative or at the request of a creditor) shall call a meeting of creditors to be held in accordance with this section.

(5) When calling a creditors’ meeting to be held under this section, the personal insolvency practitioner shall—

(a) give each creditor at least 14 days written notice of the meeting and the date on which, and the time and place at which, the meeting will be held,

(b) ensure that the notice referred to in paragraph (a) is accompanied by a written proposal for the variation of the Debt Settlement Arrangement, and

(c) lodge a copy of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) and the proposal referred to in paragraph (b) with the Insolvency Service.

(6) A creditors’ meeting under this section shall be conducted in accordance with regulations under section 74 .

(7) Subject to subsection (8), creditors, at a creditors’ meeting under this section, shall vote, in accordance with section 73 —

(a) in favour of the approval of the proposal for the variation, or

(b) against the approval of the proposal for the variation.

(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), the voting rights exercisable by a creditor at a creditors’ meeting under this section shall be proportionate to the amount of the debt due by the debtor to the creditor on the date on which the vote takes place.

(9) Where the variation of a Debt Settlement Arrangement is approved under subsection (7), the personal insolvency practitioner shall as soon as practicable notify the Insolvency Service and each creditor concerned of the fact, and enclose with that notification a copy of the Debt Settlement Arrangement as varied.

(10) On receipt of a notification under subsection (9), the Insolvency Service shall record the variation in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements.

(11) A variation to a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall take effect immediately upon its being recorded under subsection (10), and shall remain in effect until the Debt Settlement Arrangement, as varied—

(a) is completed in accordance with its terms,

(b) is terminated in accordance with this Chapter, or

(12) A variation to a Debt Settlement Arrangement shall, while it is in effect, be binding upon the debtor and each creditor who was entitled to vote at the meeting held under this section, regardless of whether such creditor voted to approve that variation.

(13) References in this Chapter to a Debt Settlement Arrangement include references to such an Arrangement as varied in accordance with this section.

Application to appropriate court to have Debt Settlement Arrangement terminated.

83.— (1) Without prejudice to section 87 , a creditor or a personal insolvency practitioner may, as respects a Debt Settlement Arrangement, at any time during which the arrangement concerned is in effect, apply to the appropriate court to have that Debt Settlement Arrangement terminated, and such application shall be limited to the following grounds:

(a) a material inaccuracy or omission exists in the debtor’s Prescribed Financial Statement, which causes a material detriment to the creditor;

(b) the debtor, when the Debt Settlement Arrangement was proposed, did not satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 ;

(c) the debtor did not comply with the duties and obligations imposed on him or her under the Debt Settlement Arrangement process;

(d) the debtor has since the coming into effect of the Debt Settlement Arrangement committed an offence under this Act;

(e) the debtor is in arrears with his or her payments for a period of not less than 3 months;

(f) the debtor has failed to carry out any action necessary to enable a term of the Debt Settlement Arrangement to have effect;

(g) the debtor has unreasonably refused to consent to a variation of the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(e), a debtor is in arrears with his or her payments for a period of not less than 3 months where—

(a) at the beginning of the 3 month period ending immediately before the day on which the application was made, one or more than one payment in respect of the debts became due and payable by the debtor under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, and

(b) at no time during that 3 month period were any obligations in respect of those payments discharged.

(3) On hearing an application under subsection (1), the appropriate court may—

(a) dismiss the application,

(b) terminate the Debt Settlement Arrangement, or

(c) order the personal insolvency practitioner to propose the variation of the Arrangement in accordance with section 82 .

Debt Settlement Arrangement deemed to have failed after 6 month arrears default.

84.— (1) Where the debtor is in arrears with his or her payments for a period of 6 months the Debt Settlement Arrangement shall be deemed to have failed and shall terminate where the personal insolvency practitioner notifies the Insolvency Service and the debtor of such default.

(2) Where the Insolvency Service receives a notification of default referred to in subsection (1), it shall record the failure of the Debt Settlement Arrangement in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), a debtor is in arrears with his or her payments for a period of 6 months on a given date if—

(a) at the beginning of the 6 month period ending immediately before that date, one or more than one payment in respect of a debt became due and payable by the debtor under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, and

(b) at no time during that 6 month period were any obligations in respect of those payments discharged.

Effect of premature termination of Debt Settlement Arrangement on debts.

85.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a Debt Settlement Arrangement has been deemed to have failed or has terminated under this Chapter, the debtor shall thereupon be liable in full for all debts covered by the Debt Settlement Arrangement (including any arrears, charges and interest that have accrued during the continuance of the Debt Settlement Arrangement but excluding any amounts paid in respect of those debts during the continuance of the Debt Settlement Arrangement), unless:

(a) the terms of the Debt Settlement Arrangement provide otherwise; or

(b) the appropriate court has made an order otherwise.

(2) Subsection (1) has effect without prejudice to the validity of any act done or property disposed of in accordance with the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

Successful completion of Debt Settlement Arrangement.

86.— (1) Upon the expiration of the Debt Settlement Arrangement, and where the debtor concerned has complied with his or her obligations under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner shall notify the debtor, creditors and the Insolvency Service.

(2) Where the debtor has complied with his or her obligations under the Debt Settlement Arrangement, the debtor stands discharged from the debts specified in the Debt Settlement Arrangement.

(3) Where the Insolvency Service receives the notice referred to in subsection (1), it shall record the successful completion of the Debt Settlement Arrangement in the Register of Debt Settlement Arrangements.

Grounds of challenge by creditor to coming into effect of Debt Settlement Arrangement.

87.— The grounds on which a Debt Settlement Arrangement may be challenged by a creditor under section 77 are, without prejudice to section 83 , limited to the following matters:

(a) that the debtor has by his or her conduct within the 2 years prior to the issue of the protective certificate under section 61 arranged his or her financial affairs primarily with a view to being or becoming eligible to apply for a Debt Settlement Arrangement or a Personal Insolvency Arrangement;

(b) the procedural requirements specified in this Act were not complied with;

(c) a material inaccuracy or omission exists in the debtor’s statement of affairs (based on the Prescribed Financial Statement) which causes a material detriment to the creditor;

(d) the debtor, when the Debt Settlement Arrangement was proposed, did not satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 57 ;

(e) the Debt Settlement Arrangement unfairly prejudices the interests of a creditor;

(f) the debtor has committed an offence under this Act, which causes a material detriment to the creditor;

(g) the debtor had entered into a transaction with a person at an undervalue within the preceding 3 years that has materially contributed to the debtor’s inability to pay his or her debts (other than any debts due to the person with whom the debtor entered the transaction at an undervalue);

(h) the debtor had given a preference to a person within the preceding 3 years that had the effect of substantially reducing the amount available to the debtor for the payment of his or her debts (other than a debt due to the person who received the preference).

Debt Settlement Arrangement: Excessive pension contributions.

88.— (1) Where, as respects a debtor who has entered into a Debt Settlement Arrangement which is in force, a creditor or the personal insolvency practitioner concerned considers that a debtor has made excessive contributions to a relevant pension arrangement, the creditor or personal insolvency practitioner may make an application to the appropriate court for relief in accordance with this section.

(2) The reference to the debtor having made contributions to a relevant pension arrangement shall be construed as a reference to contributions made by the debtor at any time within 3 years prior to the making of the application for a protective certificate on behalf of the debtor under section 59 .

(3) Where the appropriate court considers that having regard in particular to the matters referred to in subsection (4) the contributions to a relevant pension arrangement were excessive it may:

(a) direct that such part of the contribution concerned (less any tax required to be deducted) be paid by the person administering the relevant pension arrangement to the personal insolvency practitioner for distribution amongst the creditors of the debtor, and

(b) make such other order as the court deems appropriate, including an order as to the costs of the application.

(4) The matters referred to in subsection (3) as respects the contributions made by the debtor to a relevant pension arrangementare:

(a) whether the debtor made payments to his or her creditors in respect of debts due to those creditors on a timely basis at or about the time when the debtor made the contribution concerned;

(b) whether the debtor was obliged to make contributions of the amount or percentage of income as the payments actually made under his or her terms and conditions of employment and if so obliged, whether the debtor or a person who as respects the debtor is a connected person could have materially influenced the creation of such obligation;

(c) the amount of the contributions paid, including the percentage of total income of the debtor in each tax year concerned which such contributions represent;

(d) the amount of the contributions paid, in each of the 6 years prior to the making of the application for a protective certificate on behalf of the debtor under section 59 including the percentage of total income of the debtor concerned which such contributions represent in each of those years;

(e) the age of the debtor at the relevant times;

(f) the percentage limits which applied to the debtor in relation to relief from income tax for the purposes of making contributions to a relevant pension arrangement in each of the 6 years prior to the making of the application for a protective certificate on behalf of the debtor under section 59 ; and

(g) the extent of provision made by the debtor in relation to any relevant pension arrangement prior to the making of the contributions concerned.

Chapter 4

Personal Insolvency Arrangements

Personal Insolvency Arrangement: General Conditions.

89.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a debtor who satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 91 may make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement with one or more of his or her creditors in respect of the payment, satisfaction or restructuring of his or her debts.

(2) A proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement shall be made on behalf of a debtor by a personal insolvency practitioner in accordance with the provisions of this Part.

(3) Where two or more debtors are jointly party to all of the debts to be covered by a Personal Insolvency Arrangement and each of those debtors satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 91 , those debtors may jointly propose a Personal Insolvency Arrangement and, unless otherwise specified, references in this Part to the“debtor” shall be construed as meaning such joint debtors.

(4) Without prejudice to subsection (3), a Personal Insolvency Arrangement may be proposed by a debtor on the basis that it will be administered in common by a personal insolvency practitioner with one or more other Personal Insolvency Arrangements provided that, in the opinion of the personal insolvency practitioner:

(a) the Personal Insolvency Arrangements can reasonably be administered in common because of the financial relationship of the debtors concerned;

(b) the terms of each of the Personal Insolvency Arrangements to be administered in common specify in sufficient detail how such administration will operate, including—

(i) the treatment of joint and individual assets and the treatment of joint and individual debts;

(ii) whether the approval of one Personal Insolvency Arrangement is to be contingent on the approval of any other Personal Insolvency Arrangement;

(iii) the effect of the failure or early termination of one Personal Insolvency Arrangement on any other Personal Insolvency Arrangement, in particular, as to whether it is a condition of each Personal Insolvency Arrangement that for it to be considered as having been successfully completed other Personal Insolvency Arrangements are also required to be successfully completed; and

(iv) where a joint payment is to be received from two or more debtors, how that payment is to be apportioned between the creditors under each Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(5) The administration of a Personal Insolvency Arrangement in common with one or more other Personal Insolvency Arrangements in accordance with subsection (4) shall be without prejudice to the applicability of the remainder of this Part to each such Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(6) (a) A Personal Insolvency Arrangement shall not contain any terms that would release the debtor from an excluded debt or otherwise affect such a debt.

(b) A proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement shall not include any terms that, if contained in a Personal Insolvency Arrangement that came into effect, would contravene paragraph (a).

Personal Insolvency Arrangement permitted once only.

90.— A debtor may enter into a Personal Insolvency Arrangement once only.

Eligibility criteria for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

91.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and this Chapter, a debtor shall not be eligible to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement unless he or she satisfies the following criteria—

(a) subject to subsection (4), that the aggregate of the debts of the debtor which are secured debts is less than €3,000,000;

(b) that the debtor—

(i) is domiciled in the State, or

(ii) within one year before the date of the application for a protective certificate has ordinarily—

(I) resided in the State, or

(II) had a place of business in the State;

(c) that at least one of the creditors of the debtor is a secured creditor holding security over an interest in property of the debtor situate in the State (whether the interest in the property relates to real property or personal property);

(d) that the debtor is insolvent;

(e) that the debtor has completed a Prescribed Financial Statement and has made a statutory declaration confirming that the statement is a complete and accurate statement of the debtor’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure;

(f) that the personal insolvency practitioner has completed a statement under section 54 in respect of the debtor;

(g) that the debtor has made a declaration in writing declaring that he or she has co-operated for a period of at least 6 months with his or her creditors who are secured creditors as respects the debtor’s principal private residence in accordance with any process relating to mortgage arrears operated by the secured creditors concerned which has been approved or required by the Central Bank of Ireland and which process relates to the secured debt concerned and that notwithstanding such co-operation the debtor has not been able to agree an alternative repayment arrangement with the secured creditor concerned, or that the secured creditor has confirmed to the debtor in writing the unwillingness of that secured creditor to enter into an alternative repayment arrangement;

(h) that the debtor is not—

(i) an undischarged bankrupt,

(ii) a discharged bankrupt subject to a bankruptcy payment order,

(iii) a person who is a specified debtor as respects a Debt Relief Notice which is in effect,

(iv) a person who, as a debtor, is subject to a Debt Settlement Arrangement which is in effect, or

(v) a person who, as a debtor, is subject to an arrangement under the control of the court under Part IV of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 ;

(i) that the debtor has not—

(i) been the subject of a protective certificate issued under section 95 less than 12 months prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate,

(ii) had his or her debts discharged pursuant to a final Debt Relief Notice less than 3 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate,

(iii) had his or her debts discharged pursuant to a Debt Settlement Arrangement less than 5 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate, or

(iv) been discharged from bankruptcy less than 5 years prior to the date of the application for a protective certificate.

(2) The criterion referred to in subsection (1)(g) shall not apply where the relevant personal insolvency practitioner confirms in writing that, having regard to the financial circumstances of the debtor as disclosed in the Prescribed Financial Statement completed by the debtor, it is the belief of that practitioner that if the debtor were to have entered into an alternative repayment arrangement with the secured creditor concerned of a type provided for in any process relating to mortgage arrears operated by that secured creditor (being a process approved or required by the Central Bank of Ireland) the debtor would be unlikely to become solvent within the period of 5 years commencing on the date of the personal insolvency practitioner giving that confirmation.

(3) The criterion specified in subsection (1)(h) shall not apply where the debtor has, on notice to the Insolvency Service, made an application to the appropriate court and the court has made an order stating that it is satisfied that the current insolvency of the debtor arises by reason of exceptional circumstances or other factors which are substantially outside the control of the debtor and that it would be just to permit the debtor to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(4) Where all of the creditors who are secured creditors consent in writing the limit of €3,000,000 referred to in subsection (1)(a) shall not apply.

(5) A debtor shall not be eligible to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement where 25 per cent or more of his or her debts (other than excluded debts) were incurred during the period of 6 months ending on the date on which an application is made under section 93 for a protective certificate.

Creditor consent required for inclusion of excludable debt in Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

92.— (1) An excludable debt shall be included in a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement only where the creditor concerned has consented, or is deemed to have consented, in accordance with this section, to the inclusion of that debt in such a proposal.

(2) Where a personal insolvency practitioner proposes to include an excludable debt in a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, he or she shall, without delay, notify the creditor concerned of that fact, which notification shall be accompanied by—

(a) such information about the debtor’s affairs (including his or her creditors, debts, liabilities, income and assets) as may be prescribed, and

(b) a request in writing that the creditor confirm, in writing, whether or not the creditor consents, for the purposes of this section, to the inclusion of the debt in a Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(3) A creditor shall comply with a request under subsection (2)(b) within 21 days of receipt of the notification under that subsection.

(4) Where a creditor does not comply with subsection (3), the creditor shall be deemed to have consented to the inclusion of that debt in a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

(5) Where a creditor consents or is deemed to have consented, in accordance with this section, to the inclusion of an excludable debt in a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, that creditor shall be entitled to vote at any creditors’ meeting called to consider that proposal.

(6) Where the debtor concerned is the subject of a protective certificate, and a creditor to whom this section applies brings an application under section 97 (1) in respect of that protective certificate, the period referred to in subsection (3) shall not commence until the date on which the appropriate court determines the application.

(7) An excludable debt shall not be the subject of a Personal Insolvency Arrangement unless it is a permitted debt.

(8) In this Chapter, “permitted debt” means an excludable debt to which subsection (1) applies.

Application for protective certificate.

93.— (1) Where a personal insolvency practitioner has been instructed pursuant to section 53 to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, the personal insolvency practitioner shall notify the Insolvency Service of the debtor’s intention to make a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement and apply on behalf of the debtor for a protective certificate.

(2) The application referred to in subsection (1) shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the Insolvency Service and shall be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) the statement issued by the personal insolvency practitioner pursuant to section 54 ;

(b) a document signed by the debtor confirming that he or she satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in section 91 ;

(d) the Prescribed Financial Statement;

(e) a schedule of the creditors of the debtor and the debts concerned, stating in relation to each such creditor—

(i) the amount of each debt due to that creditor,

(ii) whether, as respects the debt concerned, the creditor is a secured creditor and, if so, the nature of the security concerned, and

(iii) such other information as may be prescribed;

(f) the debtor’s written consent to—

(i) the disclosure to the Insolvency Service,

(ii) the processing by the Insolvency Service, and

(iii) the disclosure by the Insolvency Service to creditors of the debtor concerned,

of personal data of that debtor, to the extent necessary in respect of the Personal Insolvency Arrangement procedure provided for in this Chapter; and

(g) the debtor’s written consent to the making of any enquiry under section 94 relating to the debtor by the Insolvency Service.

(3) An application under this section may be withdrawn by the personal insolvency practitioner at any time prior to the issue of a protective certificate under section 95 .

Consideration by Insolvency Service of application for protective certificate.

94.— (1) In its consideration of an application under section 93 the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to request any further information it requires from the debtor or personal insolvency practitioner and to defer further consideration of the application until such information is furnished to it.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), in considering the application for a protective certificate, the Insolvency Service shall make such enquiries as it considers necessary to satisfy itself:

(a) that the personal insolvency practitioner is a person entitled to act as a personal insolvency practitioner;

(b) having regard to the documents which are required to accompany the application for a protective certificate—

(i) that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement specified in section 91 ; and

(ii) the application does not appear to be frivolous or an attempt to frustrate the efforts of creditors to recover debts due to them.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), for the purposes of subsection (3) the Insolvency Service shall be entitled to presume that the debtor satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement specified in section 91 if the documents required to be lodged with the Insolvency Service have been so lodged and the Insolvency Service has no reason to believe that the information supplied in or in support of the application for a protective certificate is incomplete or inaccurate.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5) the matters in respect of which the Insolvency Service may make an enquiry include the following—

(b) particulars relating to assets of the debtor and the value of such assets;

(d) the employment and income of the debtor;

(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the Insolvency Service to make an enquiry in any case.

(8) A person who receives an enquiry from the Insolvency Service pursuant to this section shall be under a duty to furnish the information requested as soon as reasonably practicable.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, for the purposes of the performance of the functions of the Insolvency Service under this Act information held by a Department of State, the Revenue Commissioners, a local authority or any other State body or agency in relation to a debtor may be furnished to the Insolvency Service.

Referral of application to court for issue of protective certificate.

95.— (1) Where the Insolvency Service, following its consideration under section 94 —

(a) is satisfied that an application under section 93 is in order, it shall—

(i) issue a certificate to that effect,

(ii) furnish that certificate together with a copy of the application and supporting documentation to the appropriate court, and

(iii) notify the personal insolvency practitioner to that effect,

and

(a) if satisfied that the eligibility criteria specified in section 91 have been satisfied and the other relevant requirements relating to an application for the issue of a protective certificate have been met, shall issue a protective certificate, and

(b) if not so satisfied, shall refuse to issue a protective certificate.

(4) A hearing referred to in subsection (3), unless the appropriate court considers it appropriate to hold it in public, shall be held otherwise than in public.

(5) Subject to subsections (6) and (7) and section 113 (2), a protective certificate shall be in force for a period of 70 days from the date of its issue.

(a) the debtor and the personal insolvency practitioner satisfy the court that they have acted in good faith and with reasonable expedition, and

(b) the court is satisfied that it is likely that a proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement which is likely—

(i) to be accepted by the creditors, and

(ii) to be successfully completed by the debtor,

will be made if the extension is granted.

(a) the personal insolvency practitioner has been appointed in accordance with section 49 (9), and