I have received legal advice to the effect that a provision in primary legislation is necessary to transpose EC Directive 98/5 on the right of establishment of lawyers, in addition to regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972. Accordingly, I have included an appropriate amendment to the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill, 1998 – currently awaiting Committee Stage in this House, having been passed by the Seanad – among the amendments which were recently circulated to Deputies. The quantity of legislation emanating from my Department has unfortunately held up progress on this Bill in the House but I hope that it can be enacted in the current session. This will enable me to make the necessary regulations to give full effect to the directive. The European Commission has been informed of the reason for the delay in transposing the directive.