Written answers

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Legal Aid Service Data

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the top earning free criminal legal aid solicitors, and their earnings, for each of the years 2012 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29711/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the Act, the grant of legal aid entitles the applicant to the services of a solicitor and, in certain circumstances, up to two counsel, in the preparation and conduct of their defence or appeal. The granting of criminal legal aid and the assignment of solicitors and/or counsel are matters for the Court and, as such, are the responsibility of the judiciary.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department is currently preparing new legislation to update the law relating to the granting of criminal legal aid and to give effect to commitments contained in the Programme for Government. These commitments include the transfer of the operation of the system of criminal legal aid to the Legal Aid Board, introducing powers to secure contributions from defendants, more rigorous means testing and stronger sanctions against abuses.

The ten highest earning solicitors under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for each of the years 2012 to 2015 and the amount each solicitor was paid are as follows:

2012

Frank Buttimer - €714,865

Cahir O'Higgins - €673,922

Michael E Hanahoe - €529,445

Yvonne Bambury - €495,039

John M. Quinn - €472,113

Michael J Staines - €455,954

Edmund J. Burke - €444,613

John E Feaheny - €429,040

Ronald J. Lynam - €425,113

Sarah Ryan - €388,739

2013

Frank Buttimer - €757,679

Cahir O'Higgins - 575,966

Yvonne Bambury - €544,605

Michael E. Hanahoe - €438,205

John M. Quinn - €416,702

Edmund J. Burke - €406,430

Michael Hennessy - €399,490

Aine M. Flynn - €390,180

Tracy Horan - €365,254

Michael Kelleher - €332,432

2014

Frank Buttimer - €709,668

John M. Quinn - €554,524

Cahir O'Higgins - €457,063

Michael Hennessy - €394,633

Edmund J. Burke - €345,916

Anthony Collier - €330,391

Yvonne Bambury - €329,048

Ronald J. Lynam - €325,634

Kenneth Cunningham - €323,762

Michael Kelleher - €303,737

2015

Frank Buttimer - €548,449

Michael J. Staines - €454,611

Cahir O'Higgins - €454,173

Michael Hennessy - €429.492

Edmund J. Burke - €348,311

John M. Quinn - €340,601

Kenneth Cunningham - €339,480

John E. Feaheny - €318,890

Ronald J. Lyham - €309,021

Yvonne Bambury - €307,920

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.