Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 15:

In page 16, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:

5.—(1) The Chief Justice shall not refuse to admit any person to practice as a barrister-at-law in the courts of Ireland on the ground of the person's lack of a competent knowledge of the Irish language.

(2) Where prior to the passing of this Act any person was refused admission to, or did not apply for admission to, practice as a barrister-at-law on the ground of failing to satisfy the Chief Justice as to the person's competent knowledge of the Irish language, pursuant to the Legal Practitioners (Qualification) Act 1929, the person may apply to the Chief Justice for admission to practice as a barrister-at-law and the Chief Justice shall admit such person to practice as a barrister-at-law if the person is otherwise qualified for such admission.

(3) The Law Society of Ireland shall not refuse to admit any person to practice as a solicitor in the courts of Ireland on the ground of the person's lack of a competent knowledge of the Irish language.

(4) Where prior to the passing of this Act any person was refused admission to practice as a solicitor on the ground of failing to satisfy the Law Society of Ireland as to the person's competent knowledge of the Irish language, the person may apply to the Law Society of Ireland for admission to practice as a solicitor and the Law Society of Ireland shall admit such person to practice as a solicitor if the person is otherwise qualified for such admission.

The Minister gave an undertaking on Committee Stage to address the issue of people denied their livelihood because of the compulsory regime that existed. The Minister of State has indicated that the Minister will introduce amendments in this regard on Committee Stage in the Seanad and that these amendments will be outlined in this House. On that basis, I will withdraw the amendment.

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