Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, as always, for her thoughtful and courteous reply. To return to the website for returning emigrants, it says that in Ireland a solicitor must be qualified and registered with the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. All practising solicitors must hold a practice certificate issued by the Law Society on an annual basis. Unlike the UK and other EU countries, there are no licensed conveyancers, so solicitors have a monopoly here. I appreciate what the Minister wants to do but I want it done today. This is a monopoly which seriously overcharges people in the simple purchase of the basic necessity of a house and I wish to tackle the issue right now. I appreciate the Minister wants to put it at the top of the list but I do not know how much of a delay will be involved in terms of setting up the authority or whether the lawyers on the authority will outmanoeuvre the lay people and preserve their monopoly.