Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I move amendment No. 86:

In page 42, subsection (1), lines 44 and 45, to delete all words from and including “shall” in line 44 down to and including “Minister,” in line 45 and substitute may make regulations”.

Part 4, as it stands in the published Bill, consists of only three sections. The Government amendments Nos. 86 and 87 are minor amendments to remove ministerial consent for the making of regulations by the authority. I have made clear that I wish to remove as many references to "the Minister" as possible to ensure the new bodies created by the Bill are as independent as possible from government interference or any perception of such interference.
As regards Deputy Collins' amendment No. 88, I am grateful to him for tabling it as it was always my intention and the intention of my officials to substitute the reference to "Minister" in this subsection with a reference to the "Authority", as can clearly be seen with my deletion of the many other references to the "Minister" in the Bill thus far, including in today's amendment No. 87 to the same section. The reference here appears to have slipped through the net and for this reason, I am pleased to support the Deputy's amendment. It is my intention that the authority will continue to set the minimum levels of insurance required by legal practitioners so as to ensure that any liability incurred is fully covered in the public interest, while the Law Society will continue to administer the relevant insurance schemes.