The society requested a meeting with the Department of Justice in the wake of its review of the criminal legal aid fee structure. In its statement, the society said criminal legal aid was “a cornerstone of the justice system, serving as a vital mechanism to uphold the constitutional right to legal representation”. “Introducing one flat fee in criminal legal aid imposes an indeterminate amount of work while cutting the fees provided,” the society said. It represents a “unilateral cut” to criminal legal aid and would “break the commitment” in the current programme for Government to “fully restore criminal legal aid”, cut in 2009 under emergency legislation. “The Government recognises the crucial role played by the legal professions in the effective administration of criminal justice, and equally that Criminal Legal Aid is fundamental to upholding the constitutional and human right to a legal defence,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times March 14, 2026 15:01 UTC