Legal

Taoiseach told to treat barristers ‘fairly’ amid calls for reversal of recession-era cuts

The Bar Council of Ireland was responding after calls for recession-era cuts to be undone at a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party earlier this week

Pictured is Darren Lalor BL with barristers protesting outside the CCJ earlier this month, over the Government's failure to reverse cuts to criminal legal aid fees imposed during the financial crisis. Picture: RollingNews.ie

Leo Varadkar has been told to treat barristers looking for a reversal of recession-era cuts “fairly” following indications that the government may seek concessions from the profession in return.

In a letter to the Taoiseach today, Sara Phelan, chairwoman of the Bar Council, said “there should be no misunderstanding of the present position”.

“The Bar has already provided flexibility and efficiencies comparable to those provided by other groups in return for reversal of cuts and ...