Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Flanagan's suggestion seems to represent the best way forward. The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, has reflected carefully on this matter and has concluded that the approach we have taken will provide the best outcome for trainee barristers and solicitors.

The same issues arise in regard to amendments Nos. 5 and 11. The duration of the course and the attendance requirements are entirely a matter for the King's Inns and the Law Society to regulate. It would be inappropriate to make detailed provisions for such matters in legislation. Therefore, the Minister does not accept amendments Nos. 5 and 11. However, our amendments Nos. 3 and 9 deal with part of Deputy O'Shea's proposals. Deputy O'Shea will recall that the Minister undertook to consider his Committee Stage amendments which were intended to make clear that the legal terminology courses would not be subject to examination. The Minister is in agreement with the Deputy that the Bill needs to be clear on this point and amendments Nos. 3 and 9 provide the necessary clarity.

With regard to amendments Nos. 4 and 10, the Minister is opposed to making voluntary the legal terminology courses for the King's Inns and Law Society students, as proposed by the Deputy. The Government considers it to be of some importance that all persons seeking to become legal practitioners should be able to understand legal terminology in the Irish language. All practitioners should be enabled by their training to examine legal documentation in Irish to identify the nature of the service being sought and where appropriate to facilitate a referral to a practitioner competent to provide a service through Irish. For this reason, the courses should be compulsory and the Minister rejects amendments Nos. 4 and 10.

See this speech in context