Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I direct this question to Dr. Thornhill. The education of people entering the legal profession is extremely important not only for the purpose of having well qualified lawyers who are important in any society but also because, as in every other country, one can only become a judge if one is a lawyer. We have had a discussion for many years about the judiciary Bill. One of the objectives of this committee is to try to increase and broaden diversity within the Judiciary. Obviously, there is a responsibility on the legal profession and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority to broaden that diversity by enabling more people to gain access to legal education in order that they can become lawyers and judges. Is the issue of broadening access to legal education of concern to Dr. Thornhill? I would have thought costs is a precluding factor for many people when they want to try to become lawyers. I would be interested to hear his comments on that.