Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Legislative Programme

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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301. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the legislation she proposes to bring to Dáil Éireann within the next 12 months; the date she expects this legislation to reach Second Stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35454/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to the Government's Legislation Programme for Autumn Session 2014 and set out below in tabular format, the list of those Bills for which I have responsibility; several of which I expect to be brought before the Dáil in the next year. The Bills are grouped into 'A' list Bills; those which are expected to be published this Session, 'B' list Bills; those which are currently assigned for or being drafted, but not expected to be published this Session and finally 'C' list Bills; those for which Heads are being prepared within my Department but that have yet to be approved by Government.

The Deputy will appreciate that I am not positioned to forecast when time can and may be made available in the Houses to debate a Bill at any given time, nor when Second Stage may be scheduled. Progression of legislation is, as the Deputy will be aware, subject to competing legislative priorities and various ongoing developments can affect the rate at which a Bill progresses.

A List
Personal Insolvency Amendment Bill
Judicial Council Bill
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill
Redress for Women Who Were In Certain Institutions Bill
Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill
Children and Family Relationships Bill
B List
Mediation Bill
Garda Síochána (Compensation for Malicious Injuries) Bill
Criminal Records Information System Bill
Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill
Explosives Bill
Family Leave Bill
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Probation Judgements and Decisions) Bill
Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill
Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill
Gambling Control Bill
Sale of Alcohol Bill
Landlord and Tenant Bill
Criminal Justice (Offences relating to Information Systems) Bill
Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
Criminal Procedure Bill
Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill (previously Probation Service Bill)
C List
Táillte Éireann Bill

(previously Registration, Survey and Valuation of Land Bill)
International Protection Bill
Bail Bill
Reformed & Consolidated Domestic Violence Bill
Family Court Bill
Policing Authority Bill
Hague Convention (Choice of Court) Bill
Judicial Appointments Bill
Saint Patrick’s Institution (Closing) Bill
International Recovery of Child Support (Hague Convention) Bill
Marriage Equality Referendum Implementing Bill & Referendum Bill
Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill
Inspection of Places of Detention Bill
Courts (Consolidation and Reform) Bill
Family Law Bill
Trusts Bill
Juries Bill
Criminal Justice (Proceeds of Crime) Bill
Criminal Justice (Victims Rights) Bill
Official Secrets Act (Amendment) Bill

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 to reach final stage in Dáil Éireann; if she supports the provision of multidisciplinary practices as originally outlined in the Bill; if she supports the merger of the solicitor and barrister professions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35455/14]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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304. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the communication she has had with the European Commission this year with regard to the regulation of the legal profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35457/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together.

The Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011, which has completed both Second and Committee Stages in the Dáil, commenced Report Stage in the Dáil on 11th July 2014 which is due to resume next month. The Government's proposed amendments will be made available in advance for consideration. It remains the intention that the Bill be enacted by the end of this year and that the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority come into operation early in 2015. The Bill will continue to include provision for multi-disciplinary practices. As the Deputy will already be aware, under the Bill the possible fusion of the two legal professions is one of those matters that is to be the subject of public consultations conducted by the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority.

Having been a key undertaking of the structural reform programme agreed under the EU/IMF/ECB Troika Memorandum of Understanding, the Legal Services Regulation Bill is, in succession to the Troika programme, now the subject of a Country Specific Recommendation under the EU Semester Process. As was the case with the Troika Programme, the relevant contacts and negotiations under the Semester Process are carried out with the European Commission at senior official level, including with relevant Government Departments such as my own and in conjunction with our Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

The relevant Recommendation arising from these negotiations was among those endorsed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council of 26-27 June 2014, including as conveyed to the House by the Taoiseach in his speech of 2 July 2014 on the outcomes of that Council . The Recommendation urges that Ireland take action during the period 2014-2015 to, "Reduce the cost of legal proceedings and services and foster competition, including by the enactment of the Legal Services Regulation Bill by the end of 2014, including its provision allowing the establishment of multi-disciplinary practices, and by seeking to remove the solicitor's lien. Monitor its impact, including on the costs of legal services. Take executive steps to ensure that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is operational without delay and that it meets its obligations under the legislation, including in terms of publishing regulations or guidelines for multi-disciplinary practices and the resolution of complaints". The Government's commitment to the structural reforms of the Bill is also a key element of the Programme for Government, the Action Plan for Jobs,the Medium Term Economic Strategy 2014-2020and the National Reform Plan, respectively.

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