Ms Maura McNally:

That would be our assertion. It is very unfair. Let us take the example of Castlebar again. Let us suppose a person is an accused or a victim in Castlebar. The local gardaí in Castlebar have to give evidence. Suddenly, they all have to appear in Galway. Is it fair or unfair? That is not for me to determine, but it is a practicality of real life in trying to get court cases up and running.

We are all aware of the constraints faced, including the constraints in having financial capacity and expenditure and all of that. If we are going to have a successfully operating legal system, which is required to ensure the rule of law, then we must have this expenditure and investment. The committee members should listen to the parties who will be and are being affected by it. That is the position of the Bar of Ireland.