International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-18
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I will answer Deputy Ward while I have it in mind. That will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board. I will not specify in legislation that the board in providing legal counselling must do it individually. That would be an excessive reach in terms of a statute. It will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board to determine.
Deputy Gannon referred to the hearings yesterday before the justice committee. I did not hear them but I read about them. He quoted a section from the Free Legal Advice Centres. I have to ensure what I do in this legislation will not completely overburden the Legal Aid Board with the requirements placed on it. There is a balancing act here. People say we need to devote more money to civil legal aid. I agree with that but I have a budget that I have to work with. I have to ensure the definition of "legal counselling" that I put into this legislation does not result in those resources being devoted predominately to international protection.
Deputy Kelly asked about the definition. I said earlier – I was very frank with the House about what I am proposing - that the APR definition will provide the basis of the definition of "legal counselling". As I said, the Deputy included it himself.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-18