Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects the new legal services regulator to be fully operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32825/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Legal Services Regulation Bill is now before the Seanad, having completed Seanad Second Stage on 13th May 2015. The Bill completed its earlier Dáil Stages on 22nd April 2015. Preparations are, therefore, ongoing for Seanad Committee Stage which I would anticipate taking place in the coming weeks and I will be circulating any proposed Government amendments in advance for consideration . It is the Government's continued intention that the Bill be completed by the end of this year so that the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority can come into operation at the start of 2016. Work on the Bill continues on that basis including in conjunction with the Offices of the Attorney General and of Parliamentary Counsel alongside the planning that is necessary for the accommodation, staffing and functioning of the new Regulatory Authority.