Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State’s sincerity in this regard, and what she said about recognising the importance of legal representatives and the role played by solicitors and barristers. I confess, having spoken to them outside the courts this morning, that they do not feel that importance is recognised and if a further withdrawal of services is to be avoided, there is a very simple way to do so. I recognise what the Minister of State said about not making budget announcements but the time is now to make that change.

In reference to the legal aid Bill, the review of criminal legal aid is fine. The report by the Joint Committee on Justice on the pre-legislative scrutiny was very clear that there is no basis for moving it out of the Department of Justice and into the criminal legal aid board. That is something I hope will be taken into account in respect of the Bill.