Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond by saying that there has been extensive engagement with both of the professional bodies. We have also had regard to any submissions we received. I would agree that any levy should apply to practising solicitors. We cannot levy the Law Society for retired, struck-off or deceased solicitors. No one is suggesting that we should do so. Indeed, there are one or two solicitors who are in prison and are no longer practising. We will engage appropriately on this issue and I can assure the Deputies that there has been extensive engagement, of a practical nature, to ensure the workings of this Bill are fair, both to those engaged in the professions and to the public, and that the public interest is protected. These are very important matters of concern. We must also ensure the Bill is fair to taxpayers in order that the public who are paying their taxes do not have to fund the system. There are nuances within the professions between practising solicitors, barristers who are members of the Law Library and barristers who are not members of the Law Library but who are practising. There are issues as to how these should be levied and there will have to be fairness in that context too in order that individuals, for example, are not required to pay for something from which they do not benefit or with which they do not engage. There are issues here that require further consideration. Submissions were made to us very recently on these matters to which I have given very detailed consideration. I will come back to any outstanding matters that need to be addressed on Report Stage.