Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Matt Carthy (SF), Cavan-Monaghan

There is chaos in our courts as a result of the justice Minister's mishandling of the criminal legal aid scheme review. We now see solicitors resigning from the criminal legal aid panel, increasing numbers of cases being adjourned, people going without legal representation and others with no legal expertise attempting to represent themselves. This is a criminal justice system on the brink of collapse, and the justice Minister seems entirely satisfied to let this continue.
Will the Government allow this to continue or will it intervene to ensure the complexity of this issue is recognised? Will it suspend the changes made by the Minister, engage in real consultation with all stakeholders and deliver a criminal legal aid scheme that is efficient for court services, prudent with public finances and has the confidence of the Irish people?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09