Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I understand there are processes involved but this is three years in the making and now the Minister is talking about consultation processes. He must put himself in the shoes of those who want to secure a barring order or a civil protection order but currently cannot get legal representation. If they were listening to two politicians talk about process, the Minister can imagine the frustration that would be there.

Can the Minister give a timeframe for when this particular issue will be resolved? Further, to put on the record, does the Minister also accept there is an issue here for the number of solicitors willing to take on this work? One way or another, it needs to be addressed. Does the Minister accept there are particular geographical issues where this issue is especially acute?

Does he have any short-term measures that he can put in place to resolve what is a crisis for many people?

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