Vol. 576 No. 6
105 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals she has to eliminate restrictive practices for entry to certain professions such as the legal profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30513/03]
I am aware that there are certain professions which are characterised by entry barriers and restrictive practices. The Competition Authority has embarked on a comprehensive study of the medical, legal and construction professions. The authority is examining eight individual professions in the following order: engineers, architects, dentists, veterinary surgeons, barristers, solicitors, optometrists and medical practitioners. The study of each profession strongly focuses on entry barriers and restrictive practices.
To date the authority has published consultation documents on entry into the engineering and architect professions and it is expected that reports will be published throughout 2004. I await the findings of the authority on the legal profession.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 104.
