Legal

Barry Ward: Legal aid fees were savagely cut 10 years ago – it’s high time we restored them

Criminal lawyers practice in every court, in every county in the country, writes Fine Gael senator Barry Ward. Surely the time has now come to treat them with the respect and equality they deserve?

The Four Courts: Criminal lawyers had their fees reduced at the time of the financial crash. They have never been restored. Picture: Getty

Calls for the unwinding of cuts to criminal legal aid fees have been heard for a number of years now; I have raised the issue seven times in the Seanad, for example.

Like many professionals, criminal lawyers had their fees reduced at the time of the financial crash. Depending on the fee concerned the cuts were between 30 per cent and 70 per cent, and they have never been restored.

However, unlike most professionals, criminal ...