Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a technical amendment which is designed to bring clarity. The section provides that employee barristers will be able to act on behalf of their employers in court. Senator Hayden spoke on a related point. They are currently prohibited from doing so under Bar Council rules. The section also provides that the legal professional representative bodies will not be able to prevent their own members from working with such employee barristers. The essence of the proposed new section has not changed. Instead, it has been reworked to ensure it is clear and coherent in the overall context of the Bill. It is an important provision. As Senator Hayden explained, many barristers work as employees in various organisations including financial institutions and NGOs. They will have the possibility of being in court and representing their employers.