Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept what the Deputy has said. This is part of a major reform of our civil liability law in respect of personal injuries. The Legal Services Regulation Act is coming into force on a progressive basis. The section to which the Deputy referred is Part 15 of that Act. I accept that it has not yet been commenced but it is one of a number of reforms that are being progressively rolled out. It will involve a major change in the manner in which these actions are dealt with. It will be incumbent upon the parties to sit down pre-action or pre-trial.

From speaking to the recently established authority that appointed a chief executive officer last year, my understanding is that the commencement order will be made prior to the summer recess. These new reforming protocols can take place at the earliest opportunity and this year.

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