Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

One of my concerns is that if one examines the Haran report, one sees the legislation associated with its implementation would take a prolonged period because it proposes the establishment of an entirely new body to deal with costs. I am not satisfied the abolition and replacement of the taxing masters are essential to the process. It may be that the redefinition of the functions of the taxing masters as legal costs controllers and the development of a facility whereby clients have more ready access to measuring the costs of solicitors and counsel would be a more desirable way forward. This would require a shorter Bill. I have attended to this matter and if Deputy O'Shea examines the Haran report he will see the full implementation of the model it envisages would take a number of years.

See this speech in context