Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 21:

In page 15, before section 9, to insert the following new section:"9.--(1) Subject to this Act, the Authority shall be responsible for overseeing the regulation of the provision of legal services by legal practitioners in the State, in an independent manner and shall ensure the maintenance and improvement of standards in the provision of such services in the State.
(2) The Authority shall at all times have due regard to the overriding public interest in the delivery of legal services in a manner that at all times supports the proper and effective administration of justice.
(3) Subject to this Act, the Authority may do anything it considers necessary or expedient to enable it to perform its functions, including liaising and co-operating with other statutory bodies and with other relevant institutions.
(4) Any function of this Authority may, without prejudice to its general responsibilities under this Act, be performed through or by the Chief Executive of the Authority as established by this Act or any member of its staff duly authorised in that behalf by the Authority.
(5) The Chief Executive or a member of staff of the Authority who performs any of its functions is presumed in any proceedings to have been authorised by it to do so on its behalf unless the contrary is shown.
(6) The Authority shall be independent in the performance of its functions.
(7) The Authority has all powers that are necessary for the performance of the functions of the office.".

What is the Minister's take on this issue? In this series of amendments, we are trying to give the authority a degree of independence and to unharness it as much as possible from the political process. We are on the same section to which the Minister referred.