Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion

Photo of Peter FitzpatrickPeter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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The witnesses mentioned that legal aid is means-tested. I cannot understand why it is means-tested. A Deputy was recently able to get legal aid and, in fairness, Deputies are pretty well paid. I cannot understand how a mum or dad who cannot afford to get a solicitor or barrister cannot go in and get legal aid. There seem to be two different approaches to family courts and other courts. Can the witnesses explain that?