Dr. Don Thornhill:

The considerations the Deputy set out are very much to the forefront of our minds. I would approach this from the position that competition is better than its absence. Essentially, is the legal education landscape a monopoly or an oligopoly? I am not sure how one would describe it. I will not go much further than that. We have completed consultation and are preparing a report, which we will publish in early September, in which the issue of access will be very much to the forefront of our minds, and I believe it is to the forefront of everybody's mind. For example, most people in Ireland are aware of how difficult it is not so much to qualify as a barrister but to get traction and develop a living as a barrister. That, in itself, is limiting in terms of the number of people who can pursue a career at the Bar. Limited partnerships, legal partnerships and the other forms of partnerships will allow for the early employment of young barristers working in a legal environment. That, in itself, should be a positive step in improving access.