Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not comment on a particular judicial decision on the granting of free legal aid but my Department is looking at changes in the legislation on free legal aid. There are constitutional issues over access to free legal aid and these have to be respected but if it is possible to amend the legislation in some way to ensure a person who is in a position to make a contribution to the cost does so, that should happen. We are also looking at issues around the transfer of responsibility for legal aid. I would welcome a debate in the House and the chance to hear the views of Members. There have been changes in the UK recently and I would be happy to hear the views of Members of the House to see if improvements can be made to the scheme.

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