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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - European Directives.

John Bruton

Ceist:

854 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will implement Council Directive 98/5, regarding the establishment of solicitors; if the European Parliament has contacted his Department to ascertain the reason the directive has not been enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/01]

I have received legal advice to the effect that a provision in primary legislation is necessary to transpose EC Directive 98/5 on the right of establishment of lawyers, in addition to regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972. Accordingly, I have included an appropriate amendment to the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill, 1998 – currently awaiting Committee Stage in this House, having been passed by the Seanad – among the amendments which were recently circulated to Deputies. The quantity of legislation emanating from my Department has unfortunately held up progress on this Bill in the House but I hope that it can be enacted in the current session. This will enable me to make the necessary regulations to give full effect to the directive. The European Commission has been informed of the reason for the delay in transposing the directive.

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