Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Regarding medical and legal fees, it relates to Government contracts and arrangements in connection with them. It will require legislation because the State is, in effect, altering contractual or legal arrangements. It will apply to all medical and legal professionals, so in principle it will apply to persons who act at tribunals.

The question of whether private clients of a professional person who has a dual practice can be affected by this misses the point about the demonstration effect of what this announcement is about. It is about improving competitiveness in the economy and the public sector must lead the way.

If the public sector is leading the way in the market pricing of service, the private market must also respond. The relevant professionals cannot compensate themselves at the expense of the public sector by increasing the extent of their remuneration.

See this speech in context