John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 164: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if legal aid will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite the matter. [7418/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to inform the Deputy that as the Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, any decision to grant or refuse legal aid is a matter for the Board. Under Section 7(3) of the Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Legal Aid Board is or may be concerned. 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. Notwithstanding the above, in terms of providing more general information to the Deputy I can advise that the Board offers a priority service to persons seeking legal services for cases involving domestic violence, child care, child abduction and for certain other matters where there are statutory time limits. These cases are dealt with immediately and are not put on a waiting list. Finally, persons refused legal aid have the right to appeal such decisions to an Appeal Committee which is made up of non-executive members of the Board but again I have no role in this process.