Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
245. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 1 February 2018, if a decision has been made as to the timeframe for the establishment of the review committee provided for under section 62 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if so, the timeframe in this regard. [6715/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the establishment of the Review Committee provided for under section 62 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 lies with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority which is independent in the performance of its functions. As such it is one of those key structural reforms that will be rolled-out under Part 6 of the 2015 Act relating to public complaints, professional misconduct and the appointment of the new Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal.
The current working focus of the Authority is, I understand, very much on the managed roll-out of these and its other remaining functions. This also includes the necessary preparatory steps for the establishment and application of the new Roll of Practicing Barristers and other matters that are a pre-requisite for the exercise by the Authority of its core public complaints functions including under the Review Committee to which the Deputy has referred. The Authority is also in the process of preparing its first three-year Strategic Plan for submission under section 20 of the 2015 Act which will, I understand, give enhanced focus to the issue of delivery timelines.
The Authority is, therefore, continuing its work to progress the identification and elaboration, in conjunction with my Department, of the specific delivery dates concerned. I expect these will be made known as soon as they have been aligned, to the satisfaction of the Authority, with its anticipated staffing and other working resources as an independent regulator.
