Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I remind Senator McDowell that I am also the Minister with responsibility for consumer affairs. The PIAB will serve consumers, insurers, employers and employees, rather than barristers and solicitors. Professor Denis Cusack, a member of the board, is both a barrister and a doctor, while Frances Cooke, another member of the board, is a member of the Law Society who works as a lawyer with the Revenue Commissioners. These two members of the board have been appointed because of their professional expertise on an independent basis, rather than as representatives of either the Bar Council or Law Society.

I do not know whether I should read anything into the proposal by Senator McDowell to appoint a representative to represent the Law Society and the Bar Council.