Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Obviously resources form part of that. I am still stressed and depressed after listening to Dr. Lord's account of a visit to the courts. It resonated with all of us; we felt what somebody would go through in being there. Further to a point FLAC made, even though it is important to address the issues relating to the physical structures and the immediate changes we can make, Dr. Burns said that unless we resource people's access to the courts and obviously all the other points, the situation is meaningless. Does anybody have a ballpark figure for the types of resources that would be necessary? It may be an unfair question. I am struck by Dr. Lord's point that if we get this right, in the longer term the State could end up saving money by doing this properly. Obviously in the shorter term, it will require resources.

Dr. Burns has described the deficiencies in the legal aid situation very well. It covers this subject but is not restricted to it.

Have our guests experienced specific cuts or has the process not kept up with an evolving society and changed? What is the biggest impediment in that regard?