Legal Services Regulation Bill
Eamonn Maloney seeks a post-Christmas debate on the Legal Services Regulation Bill and supports bankruptcy reform; the Taoiseach hopes the legal services measure can pass before Christmas but cannot guarantee it.
I wish to refer to two Bills. First, my understanding is that the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 will not be taken in the House prior to Christmas. Will the Taoiseach assure me that, post Christmas, we will debate it? Second, I lend my support to Deputy Penrose's one-year bankruptcy Bill, which was referred to the Taoiseach.
Comment on this
Yes, we have had discussions on the legal services Bill. This is probably the most radical shift in the legal service in 200 years. I hope they can get it through before Christmas. Now, it is going to be very challenging, believe me Deputy Maloney. I cannot confirm one way or the other because it seems to me as if, repeatedly, there are new obstacles that arise each time one takes a step here. It is quite complicated.
I have referred to the bankruptcy Bill already.