Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support speakers on the other side of the House who raised the untimely and unfortunate death of Mr. Patrick Walsh. It is time we knew the facts. Many untruths have been circulated and sometimes the untruths are more damaging than the facts. I was glad to hear Senator O'Toole say it is not a case of somebody coming in to the House because we seek to lay blame. It is most unfortunate this has happened but it is timely to debate the matter and hear the facts.

I ask the Leader to organise a debate on self-regulation of the legal profession as outlined by Senator O'Toole. I am on record as saying I am a firm believer in self-regulation for professions. However, it is timely that we looked at the legal profession in light of the appalling double charging by some firms of solicitors. They are not all guilty. They have overcharged vulnerable people whose life experience has been very negative as a result of what they have had to endure. The overcharging has been highlighted by Joe Duffy. I am one of those who knock the media when I consider they do not deserve credit but on this occasion I commend Joe Duffy on his radio programme for highlighting this terrible overcharging. It is time we looked at the issue of self-regulation——