Taoiseach ‘hopes’ upcoming talks with solicitors will resolve legal aid dispute

The Taoiseach has said he “hopes” a meeting between the Justice Minister and the Law Society of Ireland will bring the ongoing criminal legal aid dispute to a conclusion.

Jim O’Callaghan is expected to meet with representatives from the Law Society in the coming days, after striking solicitors escalated the dispute over reforms to the way legal aid is paid.

Mr O’Callaghan faced a major backlash after he accused the solicitors of targeting rape cases in withdrawing their services earlier this week.

Speaking in the Oireachtas committee on Tuesday, the Fianna Fáil TD defended his comments in the face of criticism from opposition parties and Government colleagues.

Earlier this year, Mr O’Callaghan introduced a 520-euro flat fee for criminal legal aid cases – which is designed to be equivalent to five appearances, which was the average, under the old scheme plus an 8% increase in fees given to all criminal lawyers.

Under the old system, solicitors were given 240 euro for a first appearance with a legal aid client and 60 euro thereafter.

Striking solicitors have rejected the new flat-fee model.

Speaking at an event in Clones in Co Monaghan on Friday, Micheál Martin said: “I would hope that it could get resolved. I think the solicitors should reflect on this. The reforms are necessary.

“The system could not go on as it was, and we do need to reform various systems and make sure that somebody is looking out for the taxpayer and looking out for those who use our court services.

“Without question, there was room and space for greater efficiencies within the district court system, the investment has grown exponentially.

“The amount of money that has been allocated, if you look over a five-year period, even or a 10-year period, it has grown exponentially.

“Reform is necessary. We need to be more efficient in our courts and the review that the Department of Justice did on the district court system indicated that there was almost an incentive for multiple court appearances.

“That might not be the guesswork for every situation, but certainly that was the sense from that review. There was quite concerning issues highlighted by that review, and clear recommendations made to make it more efficient.

“I would hope that engagement next week could perhaps, with some changes in terms of the children’s courts, bring this to a conclusion.”