Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2005

Tuesday, 25 October 2005

Questions (416)

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

484 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the decision by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland to issue a notice to persons applying to the Residential Institutions Redress Board referencing the society’s complaints procedure is an adequate response to allegations of wrongdoing in connection with solicitors’ fees for work before the redress board in terms of ensuring compensation of victims and deterrence of such future practices. [30276/05]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I refer the Deputy to the detailed reply which I gave to Questions Nos. 655 and 663 on Tuesday, 18 October concerning the procedures in place to deal with allegations that some solicitors have double charged in respect of applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The Law Society has put special additional measures in place to facilitate the making of complaints in these cases, including the introduction of a helpline, and I understand that it has undertaken to fast-track any complaint received on the matter. I welcome these initiatives in so far as they are designed to assist persons who have complaints to make under the Law Society's complaints procedures. In my reply of 18 October, I also outlined the measures I intend to include in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to strengthen existing procedures for dealing with complaints against the legal profession.