Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I did not hear the Minister's introductory speech entirely. With regard to multidisciplinary practices and alternative business structures, has the Minister received conclusive proof that legal costs will reduce for the consumer?

The Minister mentioned competition. If there are a number of multidisciplinary practice structures that manage to corner the market using a number of specialists in a particular field, could this lead to price inflation or prevent people from exercising the choice that might otherwise exist when tapping into services? This question points to the main problem that has been brought to my attention in regard to multidisciplinary practices.

Am I correct in understanding that the alternative business structures are such that non-legally qualified people could be providing the legal service? Is the Minister seeking to have people who would not be qualified to practise, either at the Bar or as a solicitor, providing legal services through certain mechanisms to the consumer?