Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta James Browne, go dtí an Seanad. Unprecedented action is taking place today where, country-wide, barristers and solicitors who represent clients who are accused of criminal offences are actually boycotting our court system. I think it is the first time in the history of the State that this has happened. It represents, as has been outlined by Senator McDowell, a crisis in their pay and remuneration to the extent that it is difficult for the Irish Criminal Bar to recruit graduates into this essential component of our justice system.

I listened very carefully to Seán Guerin SC on the radio during the week. He spoke about how this goes to the very heart of our confidence in the administration of justice in Ireland. When the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, brings forward charges against a citizen, that citizen will perhaps contemplate the loss of their liberty, and that is a very serious moment for them. The professional formation of our criminal barristers is absolutely essential to the administration of justice.

In the coming days prior to the budget, I ask the Minister of State to impress upon his colleagues at Cabinet the requirement to deal with this in the budget. As I said, it is unprecedented for people outside of our court system. These are two professional groups that would never have taken this action before. That underlines the crisis that they have professionally, but also the wider crisis in terms of confidence in the administration of justice in the State.