Vol. 401 No. 2
46 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to reports that a shortage of solicitors in Ireland is forcing some Irish law firms to recruit legal staff in London; if he intends to take any steps to facilitate the entry of more persons into the profession and particularly to improve access to legal education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no statutory function at present in relation to the education, training and numbers of persons who qualify here as solicitors. This is a matter entirely for the Law Society under powers vested in them by the Solicitors Acts, 1954-1960. That legislation has been the subject of a comprehensive review by my Department and a proposed Solicitors (Amendment) Bill is now at a very advanced stage of preparation.
I am aware of recent media reports alleging that there is a general shortage of solicitors in this country. However, I am also aware that the Law Society has publicly denied this allegation.
As regards facilitating the entry of more people into the solicitors' profession, the Law Society announced major changes last year in the procedures governing admission to their professional law school. I understand that in the region of 400 students are being admitted to the society's professional course this year as a direct result of these changes — that is more than double the average intake of students in recent years.
The terms of reference for the Fair Trade Commission's study of the legal profession included the educational and training requirements for admission to the solicitor's profession. I would like to consider the recommendations in that report before deciding what further changes may be needed.
