Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned the inadequacy of the bail laws earlier and the impact they have on people in this country. There is another related matter to which I would like the Taoiseach to turn his attention. Not only are people getting bail and going out to reoffend but they are costing the taxpayer millions of euro at the same time. In the past five and a half years, criminal legal aid has cost the taxpayer almost €350 million, averaging more than €60 million per year and the figure is rising. There is no limit to the number of times offenders can get this free legal representation under current laws, no matter how many times they appear before the courts.

Last year alone, and again in the middle of the pandemic, more than €61 million was paid under the main criminal legal aid scheme, involving more than 73,000 cases. These criminals are laughing in the face of the justice system. They get the best legal representation in court courtesy of the Irish taxpayer, no matter how many times they offended in the past.

They seem to be able to get bail just as easily only to rob, murder and assault at will. Will the Taoiseach agree a major review of the free criminal legal aid scheme is also needed?

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