Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review a decision of the Legal Aid Board to refuse a legal aid certificate to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [30161/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that any decision to grant or refuse a legal aid certificate is a matter for the Legal Aid Board which is a statutory, independent body that provides legal aid and advice to persons of limited means. Furthermore, the solicitor/client relationship is protected by privilege in accordance with the terms of section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and therefore the Board does not provide information to third parties regarding a person who may or may not be a client of the Board.

However, I can advise the Deputy that any person who is refused a legal aid certificate may appeal this decision to an Appeal Committee which is made up of non-executive members of the Board.