Mr. Seán Ó hUallacháin:

I think Deputy Pringle's questions and observations have validity, as noted earlier by Deputy Connolly, and I would not take away from that validity at all. If I might address matters in the public interest, not just from the Bar's point of view, it is important to not come down too heavily on the Legal Aid Board. It performs a very difficult exercise, as its chairman has just said, with limited budgets and stretched resources. I, as a barrister who used to practise in that area, know that only too well. I think one would find it hard to find a barrister who has worked with the Legal Aid Board who would say that the staff, solicitors and support staff are anything but excellent and that they do their best in very trying circumstances.