Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I am aware that the criminal justice (legal aid) Bill is set down to be published in this session but the legislative programme does not give any detail as to what is envisaged by this legislation. Prior to Christmas I asked the Taoiseach about it and he agreed with many of the points I made but he did not clarify precisely what the scope of the legislation will be. When does the Tánaiste expect the Bill to be published? Is it envisaged that the Bill will include badly needed statutory guidelines on eligibility for legal aid? Will there be a limit on the number of times that any individual would be entitled to legal aid? I believe eligibility requirements should be predicated on income and assets declared to the Revenue Commissioners. It is quite well documented that very high profile members of criminal gangs, which we debated during Private Members' time yesterday and the day before, avail of legal aid when it is quite clear that they ought not to be in a position to do so. It is imperative that this new legislation, for which we have been waiting since 1962, will cover these major loopholes and discrepancies in the system. Is it envisaged that the fees paid under the current criminal legal aid scheme will be reviewed in the context of the current economic situation?

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