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

It is worth making the point that the new independent legal services regulatory authority will be a great catalyst for change. As I indicated, for the first time, we will have oversight and complaints and discipline being dealt with independently as well as the establishment of the new legal partnerships. This is serious reform and further reforms will be introduced.

The Bill provides for various reports and assessments to be done in the first couple of years after the establishment of the legal services regulatory authority. We are not establishing a large body to take over all functions. It was decided in the Dáil, for example, that the compensation fund would remain with solicitors who have managed it to date, meaning this liability will not be transferred to the State. I will introduce a number of amendments on that issue later.

Provision is made to have the issue the Senator raises examined. As I indicated to Senator Norris, a consultation process was built in to the Bill and I have not made any change in terms of that consultation taking place. It is important that it is allowed. The change in respect of legal partnerships will be implemented immediately next year.