Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to regulate the use of the title "accountant", to establish criteria for recognition, and to provide for offences and penalties for misuse of the title, and to provide for related matters.

I am happy to be here today to introduce the Companies (Protection of Title: Accountant) Bill 2025. This Bill is about protecting consumers. At present, anybody can describe himself or herself as an accountant. Indeed in the morning, the Ceann Comhairle and the Government Chief Whip could set up an accountancy practice called "Murphy and Butler Accountants" and there would be nothing to stop them from doing so. Unfortunately, this has happened. Unqualified people have set up as accountants and defrauded members of the public. Individuals with no formal training or education who have no association with professional bodies can use this title freely. This means that there is a lack of protection. It misleads consumers and damages the credibility of the accountancy profession.

We know that the titles of a lot of professions are protected, for example, solicitors, doctors, teachers, architects and electricians. When it comes to somebody trusting their finances to an accountant, it is critical that he or she is guaranteed that what he or she sees is somebody who is qualified and experienced in doing this. I am familiar with a number of cases of people who have gone to people who presented themselves as accountants and who then lost out. When trouble arises because these people are not members of a professional body, there is very little recourse for affected individuals.

It is critically important that this is not seen as protecting vested interests. That is certainly not the case. It is of note that all of the professional bodies representing accountants want to see this legislation introduced. At present, the Companies Act, which this Bill seeks to amend, does provide for protection of the title of auditor so it is not possible for anybody to call himself or herself an auditor. All we are seeking with this legislation is that similar protection would be provided to the title of accountant so that somebody who has studied, worked hard and attained the professional qualifications would be recognised. As it is within the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who is an accountant, I hope he will progress this matter and this legislation will be accepted or incorporated into Government legislation.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted to rise in support of Deputy Malcolm Byrne’s Bill to make the title "accountant" a protected title. As a chartered accountant, I know what it takes to go through the rigorous training process, the ethical standards and the requirements to pass examinations to become a qualified accountant. We have seen the consequences of the loophole. Across communities and small businesses, people have been misled and, in some cases, financially harmed by individuals who claimed to be accountants but were unregulated and unqualified. Constituents have come to me, particularly farmers, sole traders and pensioners, who have handed over their financial affairs in good faith only to discover errors, penalties and lost savings, all because there is no legal protection for the title "accountant".

Let us contrast this with other professions. People cannot call themselves solicitors unless they are members of the Law Society of Ireland. People cannot call themselves medical doctors unless they are registered with the Irish Medical Council and people cannot call themselves architects unless they are registered with the associated body. These titles are protected and it is not to create exclusivity but to protect the public interest. Surely, when it comes to those entrusted with people’s livelihoods, taxes and financial records, the same standards should apply.

Protecting the title "accountant" is not about limiting competition. It is about ensuring that when members of the public engage an accountant, they can have confidence that the person is professionally trained, bound by an ethical code, insured and subject to disciplinary oversight. This is about transparency, trust and protecting people’s hard-earned money. Deputy Malcolm Byrne’s Bill gives us a chance to close a long-standing gap and align Ireland with international best practice. It will give clarity to the public, strengthen confidence in the profession and uphold the high standards that bodies like Chartered Accountants Ireland, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ACCA, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, CIMA, have all maintained for generations. This reform is overdue. In the same way as we protect the titles of "doctor", "solicitor", and "architect", we should protect the title of "accountant". I commend Deputy Byrne on bringing forward this important legislation and I urge colleagues across the House to support it.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Is the Bill being opposed?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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No.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."