Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not yet been informed if they will be granted legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30580/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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.