Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The Senator is absolutely right to mention the need for restraint. Section 11(4) requires that professional advisers be engaged solely with the consent of the Minister. If the legal services ombudsman requires professional advice, it will probably relate to a case or complaint that is being brought against a fairly well resourced barrister, solicitor or group of solicitors. The potential for an escalation of costs in a dispute of that nature is the reason for the requirement that the consent of the Minister be obtained. That is why section 11(4) has been included in the Bill.