Ms Eilis Barry:

It is a real issue but, I suppose, from FLAC's perspective, the provision of legal aid is an even bigger one. Some people may be able to access funding but there may be people who are not in a position to access funding from any group. To us, the more fundamental issue would review of the legal aid scheme. At present, the scheme's means test is extremely restrictive. There are whole areas of law excluded. It will not fund test cases. Isolating out champerty and maintenance to be looked at, and not looking at legal aid, would be a real shame. As Dr. Blennerhassett stated earlier, one needs a holistic solution to it. I would have some reservations about picking champerty and maintenance and not looking at legal aid at the same time.