David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

No. I would just like to ask if there is a substitution involved here? Do we have another form of words to cover this or is it a simple deletion, getting rid of it and that is it? If it is just a deletion, it is a little worrying because it governs the idea of opening and maintaining a separate deposit account for the benefit of the client for the holding of money received from the client. Accountability for clients' money is very important. I know we have distinguished leaders of the Bar here at the moment. This is one of the areas where there are always rows and always trouble and it is an area where, regrettably, there is sometimes fraud in the legal profession, so one would need to keep an eye on this if this entire section is going to be got rid of. It is about 50 lines, which is not an insignificant amount. It looks after the safeguarding and the well-being of a client's money. I would be interested in what the Minister has to say to reassure the House that the interests of the client are still very much being protected. I see the Minister nodding. I am sure she can be satisfied on this issue. Is this the result of Bar Council lobbying and is there a substitution?