asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction amongst the ‘solicitors' profession that steps have not been taken sooner to amend and modernise the law affecting the practice of their profession with a view to the abolition of the possible openings for abuse; and if he will indicate whether he intends to introduce suitable legislation, and, if so, at what date.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Practice of Solicitors' Profession.
A draft Bill on the lines indicated in the question has been prepared by the Incorporated Law Society and has been under examination in the Department of Justice and other Departments. The results of this examination have been communicated to the society and, as soon as I receive their further observations, I shall lay the entire matter before the Government for consideration.
Is the Minister in a position to state whether the Bill contains any proposal to safeguard the public by way of indemnity levied on the entire profession for the defalcations of any defaulting solicitor?
Mr. Boland
It contains proposals of that kind, but how they are to be carried out I am not prepared to say at the moment. That is one of the proposals.