The dispute between the Justice Minister and criminal legal aid solicitors “can be resolved”, the Taoiseach has said.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan is due to meet with the Law Society this week amid a row over how criminal defence solicitors are paid under legal aid.
Earlier this year, he introduced a 520-euro flat fee for criminal legal aid cases, which is designed to be equivalent to five appearances, which was the average under the old scheme plus an 8% increase in fees given to all criminal lawyers.
Under the old system, solicitors were given 240 euro for a first appearance with a legal aid client and 60 euro thereafter.
Striking solicitors have rejected the new flat-fee model and withdrawn their services from the courts while seeking further engagement with the Department of Justice.
Asked if he would be instructing his Fianna Fáil party minister to resolve the dispute, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I’m not instructing my minister in this case – that’s not how Government works generally – but I’m not.
“And I think the Minister had said last week that he would engage with solicitors on this question, and in my view, the situation can be resolved.”
He added: “There is a need for reform. There has been a need for reform.
“Reform is not easy. And value for money and efficiency, and particularly in terms of how our criminal justice system works, is important.
“And I think the minister has detailed knowledge of the situation, and he is engaging this week and I hope that that would bring a resolution.”