I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 to 615, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to the 2009 Annual Report of the Competition Authority which makes clear that the Law Society has either completed or progressed all of the recommendations addressed to it. The same Annual Report notes that while the Bar Council has implemented many of the recommendations addressed to it, the recommendations to allow direct access to barristers for legal advice and to allow barristers to operate in groups have not yet been implemented. However, the Bar Council has authorised a number of approved organisations and their members to have direct professional access (DPA) to barristers in non-contentious issues. The scheme does not extend to court appearances, but is limited to advisory work. The number of approved bodies has risen to almost 50 and most barristers make themselves available for DPA work.
Government policy on the need for changes in relation to the legal professions is reflected in the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009 which provides for the establishment of a Legal Services Ombudsman and in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 which provides for a number of other matters relating to regulation of the solicitors' profession. Recruitment of the Ombudsman by the Public Appointments Service commenced in November, and an appointment will be made in the near future.
The commitment in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland is to establish an independent regulator for the legal profession, to implement the recommendations of the Legal Costs Working Group and outstanding Competition Authority recommendations to reduce costs. The details of my proposals for a Legal Costs Bill are already well advanced in my Department. The question of better regulation generally of the legal professions is being considered in the context of that Bill as well as what implications the changes might have for the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman. The details will be published in due course following approval of them by the Government.