Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The failure is that we have not resourced the system sufficiently to take on board our extra responsibilities as a result of a constitutional change. On the costs, sometimes there is an option in respect of litigation but in family law one does not really have an option.

Ms. Coughlan spoke about the delay that exists for people who simply cannot afford lawyers. How does she regard the quality of legal representation litigants receive when availing of legal aid? How do they cope with the delay in getting representation or legal advice? I presume that most people will find it difficult to pay for solicitors and barristers in family law proceedings. How do they cope with that and the delay in the Legal Aid Board appointing them a solicitor?