Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcomed the amendment providing for a review earlier because it is important. I think we have strayed into talking about the specific issues on which the authority will have to report to the Minister. Perhaps this relates to section 33 of the Bill. I am aware that Senator Barrett has tabled amendments to that section. All of us agree absolutely with the comments that have been made by others on the high cost of conveyancing. I will make two quick points in that respect. First, e-conveyancing, about which we have heard a great deal at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, will undoubtedly provide for a streamlined and less expensive procedure. This important initiative, which is in train at the moment and will not need legislation, is being driven by a number of bodies. Second, section 33 as it stands does not make provision for a specific timeframe within which the legal services regulatory authority must make its report to the Minister on the creation of the profession of conveyancer. It might be worth putting in a specified timeframe, as Senator Bradford has suggested. I remind the House that clear timeframes of two years and four years, respectively, have been set for the reports on changes to legal education and on the potential unification of the profession. I think it might provide some comfort if we were to include a timeframe in this instance.