Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

When I came into the Chamber I had not intended to speak on these amendments, but much of what Deputy Shatter said has prompted me to speak. The Deputy addressed the specific and the general in his contribution. I might agree with much of what he said with regard to the general. I support the Bill, as I expect all my colleagues on the Government backbenches will, the objectives of it and the reality that it is time for reform of legal services provided in the State by solicitors and members of the Bar. The effect that some of the reforms proposed in the Bill will have has been greatly exaggerated. There are many at the Bar who are opposed to these proposed reforms. They have been very vocal in their opposition to them, as they are entitled to be. Equally, there are many at the Bar who are less opposed and even supportive of some of the proposals. I would not like to impute support for all of the proposals to very many, but certainly they support some of them. I support the proposals, although with reservations about multidisciplinary practices, simply because we do not know what will happen and it may be better not to make decisions until we know what will happen. I would not like to impute support or opposition to this Bill to all members of the-----

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