Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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495. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the review committee of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority will be established and begin its work in view of the fact that the authority was established over a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54396/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Subject to any further clarification of the Question by the Deputy that may arise, I am assuming it is referring to the periodic review of the operation of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 that is provided for within that Act under section 6. Under that section the Legal Services Regulatory Authority shall, not later than eighteen months after its establishment day, commence a review of the operation of the 2015 Act. It must report its findings, conclusions and any recommendations arising from that review to each House of the Oireachtas within twelve months. Given that the establishment day of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority was 1 October 2016, the relevant deadline for the commencement of the first review of the operation of the 2015 Act will be the end of March 2018. Thereafter, such reviews will be conducted at three-yearly intervals. It is my understanding that the Regulatory Authority, which is independent in the performance of its functions, already has this matter under active consideration and will be addressing it at the appropriate time under the relevant terms of the 2015 Act.

I also understand that the Authority is putting the practical arrangements in place for the provision, on foot of appropriate public consultations, of the required statutory report in relation to the education and training (including ongoing training) arrangements in the State for legal practitioners, including the manner in which such education and training is provided. This report, which has to be provided to me as Minister within two years of the Authority’s establishment day, will cover an array of relevant matters set out within section 34 of the 2015 Act and will be laid before the Houses.

More generally, I would also point out that under section 16 of the 2015 Act the Legal Services Regulatory Authority may, at its own discretion, establish committees to assist and advise it in relation to the performance of all or any of its functions.