Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I fully accept that reform is taking place, it will not resolve the problem immediately. There are issues to be addressed. I will be writing to the Minister directly about the matter. There is a cashflow problem and it will cost jobs. That is the reality and the position will not change immediately. The unnecessary delay due to the volume of work facing taxing masters is of major concern. I do not accept the response that the period between the submission of costs and a hearing is only ten weeks. It is certainly not the experience of the people to whom I speak.

I understand that the Law Society of Ireland wrote to the Minister on this matter. I accept that reforms are taking place, but something should be done immediately on this matter. The new legislation will not be implemented for at least another six months. It will take yet another six months to set up the system. Therefore, there will be a 12-month gap.

I do not understand why all departmental and statutory agency legal business is being farmed out to legal practices in Dublin and not to other practices around the country. This matter needs to be tackled also.