James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Harris, expects that review later this year, having met with former Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, only yesterday. The review is comprehensive and once it is published, we will have a better understanding of the recommendations therein. I would not like to anticipate those recommendations at this point in time. However, I will say the review is comprehensive. With regard to criminal law and barristers in particular, my Department pays fees to barristers in the Circuit Court and High Court under the criminal legal aid scheme, on a par with the fees paid to prosecution counsel by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. Strictly speaking, there are no fees for barristers in the District Court. However, when a court appoints a barrister in the District Court by way of certifying for a counsel, there is a payment of €572. We know there is often an agreement between solicitors and barristers in the District Court to split fees, but there is no circumstance for the barrister to sign a fee.

In the past it was not that common for barristers to appear in the District Court but now it is far more common. I acknowledge that it is difficult for young barristers.

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