Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the plans he has to reform the public complaints system for the legal profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16628/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under the Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016, the Government undertakes to "establish independent regulation of the legal profession to improve access and competition, make legal costs more transparent and ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer complaints". These undertakings complement those structural reforms in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland aimed at removing restrictions to trade and competition relating to the legal professions and legal costs, namely:

· to establish an independent regulator for the legal professions and implement the recommendations of the Legal Costs Working Group; and

· to implement the outstanding Competition Authority recommendations to reduce legal costs.

I am, at present, giving detailed consideration to proposals for a new Legal Services Bill. The Bill, which is part of the Government Legislation Programme announced by the Chief Whip on 5 April 2011, is intended to give effect to the various commitments I have mentioned including those relating to the making of complaints. The time-line for publication of the proposals is Quarter 3 of 2011.