Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature of his responsibility in ensuring the implementation of the European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid (details supplied). [5697/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the provisions of a European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid my Department has nominated the Legal Aid Board as the transmitting and receiving authority for this jurisdiction.

Under the terms of this agreement, the nominated authorities are required to assist persons who are applying for legal services in another contracting state in providing assistance, including any necessary translation of documents, to enable a person make an application in that state. The agreement also provides that legal aid granted in the member state in which the court is sitting shall cover the costs directly related to the cross-border nature of the dispute including translation costs. Accordingly, in the case of the person whose case the Deputy has referred to, once the applicant is granted legal aid by the relevant authority, the board's role is completed and all issues with regard to the ongoing provision of legal services is a matter for the authority which has granted legal aid.