Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses mentioned that legal aid is means-tested. I cannot understand why it is means-tested. A Deputy was recently able to get legal aid and, in fairness, Deputies are pretty well paid. I cannot understand how a mum or dad who cannot afford to get a solicitor or barrister cannot go in and get legal aid. There seem to be two different approaches to family courts and other courts. Can the witnesses explain that?