Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to a press release (details supplied), his views on the plans to promote Ireland as an international litigation and arbitration hub; his further views on whether the number of new graduates entering the profession is sufficient to meet this goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2614/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Question raised by the Deputy relates to an initiative proposed by the Bar of Ireland. Its core objective is to avail of those opportunities to increase the market for international legal services in Ireland that may emerge on foot of Brexit.  As such, it is an initiative which is a natural fit with the responses being taken across our various services sectors by way of coming together under a national Brexit strategy. It also coincides with the decision by the European Council on 15 December 2017 allowing the Article 50 negotiations on Brexit to move into their second phase. The Bar of Ireland is to be commended on its ongoing work to advocate and develop this initiative with the Law Society, the wider legal community, IDA Ireland and key stakeholders including my own and other relevant Government departments who have come on board.  While it continues to be work in progress, it is my intention to brief Cabinet colleagues and to propose the formal endorsement of this initiative by the Government when it has reached the appropriate stage.

In the development of this initiative consideration will, of course, be given to any relevant capacity issues. At the same time, it should be recognised that any resulting increase in employment opportunities which may arise for graduates entering the legal professions, who will come forward each year from a variety of academic backgrounds, will occur incrementally over a period of time.  In light of this and of indications that there is something of an ongoing surfeit or equilibrium of qualifying legal professionals, it is my understanding that a shortfall in graduates entering the legal professions of the kind raised by the Deputy can be avoided.

It should also be noted that under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 the Legal Services Regulatory Authority has a number of reporting functions in relation to the provision of legal professional education.  At present, for example, it 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 within two years of the Authority’s establishment day which was 1 October 2016, will cover those matters set out within section 34 of the 2015 Act.