Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

The Minister needs to come in here and clarify the issue. We can look at the decision only when we see the figures.

The memorandum of understanding with the EU-IMF includes a commitment that by the end of the third quarter of 2011 the Government must establish an independent regulator to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Competition Authority aimed at reducing legal costs. I note that the Legal Services Regulation Bill was published in October. I ask that the Minister come to the House to provide an update on the implementation of the Competition Authority's recommendation and if the Leader can indicate when that legislation is expected to come before this House. Of late, and especially in terms of the economic circumstances, I have heard stories from many people about cowboy solicitors and barristers exploiting people who have little or no redress from the Bar Council-----