Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I accept there is an issue in terms of solicitors being available to do this very important work. Part of the problem is that because the Irish economy is doing so well, it is attractive for solicitors to get work elsewhere, other than in the areas the Deputy is discussing here or other areas such as criminal legal aid under the criminal legal aid scheme. We need to ensure the fees that are payable are heightened to ensure we get solicitors who are prepared to do this valuable work. We need to recognise, and I welcome that the Deputy has acknowledged this, that there is a difference between the story that we are just getting more fees for lawyers and looking at the purpose of it. The purpose of paying more fees to lawyers is to ensure that the women the Deputy talks about, the individuals who want to access and vindicate their rights before the courts, are able to do that. They cannot do that unless they get access to legal advice. I accept that there is an issue and that the fees will have to increase to try to attract more solicitors to do this private work.

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