The Law Reform Commission has recommended completely abolishing imprisonment of people who cannot pay fines.
The body proposes that a new non-court system be set up to settle personal debt.
In its report about ways to settle debt, the Law Reform Commission recommends a move away from the courts.
It believes a debt enforcement office could help individuals and small business reach agreement with creditors - in some cases to repay an agreed amount over five years, in other cases to discharge the debt altogether.
The Commission's ideas, if implemented, would give debtors a fresh start quicker.
That too goes for bankruptcy, which the commission would like to see discharged after three years, instead of 12, as is now the case.
It has also recommended a licensing for debt collectors, to stamp out criminality and harassment.
