Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

There have been negotiations with other professions where fees have been adjusted but that has involved changes to the contract and productivity improvements, which involved long negotiations with the representative bodies. My Department is available for continuing discussions with the Bar Council of Ireland, if that does go ahead.I take the Senator's point about his worry there would be a reduction in the quality of service, the numbers available or the ability to recruit or retain people. My Department so far does not have evidence to support that but is open to receiving same, should it be produced. I agree it is something that must be watched carefully.