Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

268. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Companies Bill 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20168/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2007 the Company Law Review Group examined proposals put forward by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority to afford legal protection under the Companies Acts to the use of the term “Accountant”. A majority of the members of the Company Law Review Group supported the proposals. However, concerns were raised by the Competition Authority and the ODCE that granting legal recognition to the term accountant would result in unnecessary regulation and would hamper the flexibility of the accountancy profession.

Bearing in mind the close ties and similarity between the accountancy profession in Ireland and the UK, I understand that the term “accountant” is also not protected under UK law.

As previously stated, there are two sides to this issue and I believe that it requires further consideration including as to whether the Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (2005/36/EC) will have any impact on the granting of legal recognition to the term “accountant”.