Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O’Callaghan for his question. He is correct. During the financial downturn, a number of cuts were applied to counsel fee rates, including two separate reductions, which he referred to, 8% in March 2009 and April 2010, which mirrored cuts provided for by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act. An additional reduction of 10% was applied from October 2011, which had no parallel in the emergency legislation. While the Minister for public expenditure sanctioned a 10% increase in fee rates effective from 1 January 2024, restoration of the other two cuts of 8%, dating back to 2009 and 2010, still remain outstanding. Accordingly, fee rates payable to criminal barristers in 2024 are still 16% below those paid in 2008.

In reference to the Deputy's question, I understand that this matter remains under consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. I absolutely take the points he raises regarding its importance.