Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2007
845 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the response by his Department to the recommendations made to his Department by the Competition Authority in its December 2006 report on competition among solicitors and barristers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33322/07]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 504 of 31 October 2007. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply other than the following by way of some updating. Following Government approval I am moving amendments at Committee Stage of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 to delete Part 2 which provides for the establishment of a Legal Services Ombudsman. I am arranging to publish in its place a Legal Services Ombudsman Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted. The Government also agreed my proposals to replace the Irish language requirements for barristers and solicitors. I presented the Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 to the House on 28 November 2007. Second stage is scheduled for 13 December 2007.
