David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing with the behaviour of people, not any requirement that they should be part of a professional group, and the Minister is disingenuous to suggest it. He is suggesting that the amendments are tabled to ensure that only barristers, solicitors and members of the legal profession are in this situation.That is not the case at all. We are simply looking to govern the behaviour of people in a situation where it is clear that the practice in the past has been unsatisfactory and to weed out unsatisfactory behaviour. There is no requirement in any of these amendments that the persons involved should be members of the legal profession. We have scrupulously avoided that, although the Minister appears to be very suspicious. We are regulating the behaviour of those who purport professionally to represent the individual citizen before the court.