asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in view of recent reports on the amalgamation of the legal professions and the speculation caused thereby (a) whether he authorised such reports, and (b) whether he intends to introduce legislation in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amalgamation of Legal Professions.
47.
The Committee on Court Practice and Procedure are actively engaged in considering the wide range of problems that fall within their terms of reference, which have already been published and which are wide enough to enable the Committee to inquire into any professional practices which tend to make litigation unduly expensive and less efficiently conducted.
The question of a possible amalgamation of the two branches of the legal profession is one of the matters I have specifically requested the Committee to consider.
I have no responsibility for the newspaper reports referred to by the Deputy.
I think the Minister did not reply to part (b) of Deputy Andrews's question.
The matter is under consideration. I shall introduce legislation, after consideration of the reports which are coming to me now from the Committee on Law Reform. Legislation will follow in due course, after full consideration of the reports and my own views and the views of the Government in the matter.
Is the Minister tying himself to introduce legislation, irrespective of the outcome of the consideration? The Minister says he will introduce legislation after considering the reports. It may be that, on considering the reports, the Minister will decide legislation is not worth while.
Apart from the matter referred to in the question, there is a very wide range of aspects concerned. It is inevitable that there will be legislation which will be introduced, following consideration of the report and my own and the Government's views.
Will the Minister give an assurance that, before legislation of the type indicated is introduced, he will ascertain the views of the governing bodies of both branches of the legal profession?
Yes. Both branches of the legal profession can have that assurance that only after the fullest consultation with them will the new legislation be introduced.