Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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394. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to address the serious issues raised by the Bar Council on the need for fees paid to barristers practising criminal law in respect of the legal aid scheme to be increased in the context of cuts to the fees schedule which were first introduced in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41204/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the serious issues raised by the Bar Council, in particular, regarding the retention of barristers at the criminal Bar owing to the cuts to fees imposed between 2008 and 2011. I can assure the Deputy that I recognise the important role played by barristers in undertaking criminal legal aid work and I have been clear in my support for the restoration of fees paid to barristers. To that end I am engaged in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the restoration of the fees as part of the budgetary process.