Two hundred companies were being struck off each week for registration regulation violations, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said.
The most successful economies in the world were the most aggressive regulators, she said. "The revenue authorities in the United States have no problem in moving in quickly if wrongdoing comes to their attention. Unfortunately, in Ireland, we tended to turn a blind eye and we are paying a heavy price."
Making it clear that non-compliance would not be tolerated, Ms Harney said: "The Companies Registration Office is enforcing the law. A couple of hundred companies per week are being struck off for failing to file returns, give details of the directors and so on. That will continue until the job is done, notwithstanding the pleadings of some who do not give information because they reckon it is giving their competitors inside information."
During the debate on the Bill, which removes the requirement on those seeking to manufacture cement to obtain a departmental licence, Mr Shane Ross (Ind) complained that the grip that Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) had over politicians had been unhealthy and had been abused.
There had been concerns expressed in the media and in other areas about hidden ownerships by CRH.
Ms Harney said she would always be concerned about hidden ownerships. There were powers in the Companies Acts, but one did not wish to use them lightly if the matter could be dealt with in another way.
Efforts were well under way to shape a coroner service that would match the increasing demands of society in the new millennium, the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Mr Liam Cosgrave, was assured.
Mr Cosgrave had urged steps to be taken to ensure there were no unnecessary delays in holding inquests in the Dublin coroner's courts. He had learned of two cases where inquests had been delayed for nine or 10 months.
Responding to Mr Cosgrave's concerns, Minister of State Mr Frank Fahey said the working group established to carry out a review of the coroner service in Ireland was likely to report to the Government early in the new year.
"I know that the working group is very conscious of the need to shape a coroner service that will match the increasing demands of society in the new millennium and that their work in this detailed review is already at an advanced stage."