John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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443. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the role of King’s Inns in the regulation of barristers; the legislative basis for this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26701/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is the body responsible for the regulation of the legal professions, both solicitors and barristers, under the provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. Section 9(4)(d) of the 2015 Act states that of the 11 members appointed to the LSRA by the Government, one person shall be nominated by the King’s Inns and I can confirm that the Authority currently includes a representative from that organisation. It is important to note that any complaints regarding the legal professions are a matter for the LRSA, which, subject to the 2015 Act, is entirely independent in the performance of its functions.

As the Deputy will be aware, the King’s Inns is an independent educational institution for professional legal education and training. Its only role is in relation to voluntary disbarment – principally used when a Barrister becomes a Solicitor, as they cannot be on both rolls at the same time. This procedure is not set out in the Legal Services Regulation Act.