Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
33. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has engaged with the Law Society of Ireland following the commencement of industrial action by some solicitors; whether the changes to the legal aid structure will go ahead as planned on 1 July 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49235/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the opportunity to explain the changes to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in the District Court that I signed into law on Monday and that come into effect on Wednesday 1 July. At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the critical role played by the legal professions in the effective administration of criminal justice and that Criminal Legal Aid is essential in upholding the right to a legal defence.
I have progressed the Programme for Government commitments in relation to Criminal Legal Aid, of which there are three. The first is to reform the operation of the criminal legal aid scheme. The second is to restore the fees which were cut during the economic crisis. And the third is to enact the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill. The changes I am making to the fee structure address the first two commitments and I intend to progress the new legislation over the next year. The Bill will reform the overall system of legal aid; strengthening the provisions around eligibility and transferring responsibility for the operation of the system to the Legal Aid Board.
While it is regrettable that some criminal practitioners have withdrawn their services, Department officials have been engaging extensively with relevant stakeholders, including legal professionals and their representative bodies on the proposed changes. I met with the Bar Council on 27 May and with the Law Society on 29 May. Officials from my Department also met with the Law Society on 16 and 18 June to discuss the reform of the criminal legal aid scheme.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials will keep the operation of the new system under review over the coming months. This will allow any emerging issues to be identified without delay and addressed where necessary. The objective of these reforms is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient framework for the delivery of criminal legal aid while maintaining access to high-quality legal representation.
