Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My colleague adequately went over the ground in terms of the approach we are taking. Clearly the independent referral bar remains. I outlined very clearly how I believe the interests and rights of consumers are being protected. I have also taken a view on multidisciplinary partnerships and the need for research and further understanding of the impact on the market and a referral back to the Minister of the day, which is a very reasonable approach. We have seen the roll-out in England of multidisciplinary practices over a number of years and they have taken time to be established. I will also move ahead on the other partnerships which have been discussed. What is in the Bill is a very reasonable approach. It is the right approach to the development of legal services. We will have a strong independent legal authority, which bodes well for the profession and consumers. This needs to be firmly established and bedded down and the parallel roll-out of legal partnerships will be an initial structural reform. The approach I am taking will allow this to happen while also paving the way for what I believe will be better regulation of multidisciplinary practices as they emerge, if they emerge in the long-term.

See this speech in context