Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Albert Dolan, has voiced strong support in the Dáil for the Companies (Protection of Title: Accountant ) Bill 2025, introduced by Deputy Malcolm Byrne.
Speaking during the introduction of the Bill today, Deputy Dolan said the Bill represents “a long overdue and necessary reform, one that brings fairness, professionalism, and public trust back to the heart of our financial system.”
Deputy Dolan highlighted that, under current law, anyone in Ireland can call themselves an accountant regardless of qualification, training, or regulatory oversight, a situation he described as “deeply unfair to both the public and qualified professionals.”
“We’ve seen the consequences of this loophole,” Deputy Dolan said. “Across communities and small businesses, people have been misled and, in some cases, financially harmed by individuals who claimed to be accountants but were unregulated and unqualified. Constituents, particularly farmers, sole traders, and pensioners, have come to me after discovering errors, penalties, and lost savings, all because there is no legal protection for the title ‘accountant.’”
Deputy Dolan compared the situation to other regulated professions:
“You cannot call yourself a solicitor unless you are a member of the Law Society. You cannot call yourself a doctor unless you are registered with the Medical Council. You cannot call yourself an architect or nurse without meeting strict regulatory standards. These titles are protected, not to create exclusivity, but to protect the public interest.”
He stressed that protecting the title “accountant” is not about limiting competition but about ensuring public confidence:
“This is about transparency, trust, and protecting people’s hard-earned money. When someone hires an accountant, they should have confidence that the person is trained, insured, bound by an ethical code, and subject to professional oversight.”
Deputy Dolan said the Bill will “close a long-standing gap and align Ireland with international best practice,” ensuring clarity for the public and strengthening confidence in the accounting profession.
“Just as we protect the titles of doctor, solicitor, engineer, and architect, we should protect the title of accountant. This reform is overdue, and I commend Deputy Malcolm Byrne for bringing forward this important legislation,” he concluded.
