Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I dealt with the three issues to which the Deputies referred during Leaders' Questions yesterday. The forgery, if it is a forgery, is a serious matter whatever way one looks at it. I will look into the matter raised by Deputy Howlin in regard to AXA Insurance. The Garda Commissioner regards all these as serious matters.

The allegations are based, as I understand it, on the allegedly forged document. I do not know what the Law Society will do about it. As I said during Leaders' Questions, everybody wants to encourage speedy resolution of these cases and to ensure solicitors do not benefit by slowing them down. Financial realities must reflect and be in harmony with ethical obligations. It is unhelpful to remunerate lawyers the longer they delay in dealing with cases.

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