Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I want to clarify on the record that the Attorney General is not involved in the advice procedure because of a conflict of interest. He has made arrangements for counsel to advise us. Whether the person is eminent or well known, it is the objectivity and acceptability of the incumbent that matters and it may well turn out to be a process for more than one person. Clearly, the same process will have to be put in place for general practitioners, dentists and other self-employed professionals.

As regards legal advice, it is not just a matter of Irish competition law but EU law as well. Price fixing with self-employed professionals on a class basis is prohibited and it would not be desirable to change those aspects of Irish competition law. One might as well tear up the competition Acts if one could engage in such practices.

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