Mr. Liam Herrick:

I agree strongly with what Ms Blackwell has just said. It is a centrepoint of our submission that there is common agreement on the need for a discreet and specific amendment to that legislation to deal with this issue. It is also agreed that legal aid is a central issue, which we identify in our submission. As the committee will be aware, there are wider challenges within the legal aid system and there are other areas but this is clearly one which is about practical implementation. I echo the comments of Dr. T.J. McIntyre who attended the committee last week and said there was a great deal which could be done to implement the existing law effectively. That should include providing An Garda Síochána with financial resources, human resources and technical expertise. There is a great deal that can be done to enhance current implementation.