No ‘intransigence’ on flat fees – minister
The Minister for Justice has rejected suggestions that he has been intransigent on the dispute with solicitors over the introduction of a flat-fee scheme for criminal leal-aid payments.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Jim O’Callaghan also said that he would meet the Law Society to discuss the system, which was introduced on 1 July.
Dublin-based criminal-defence solicitors yesterday (22 July) began a two-day withdrawal of services, saying that further action was planned over three days next week.
Solicitors across the country have also been withdrawing from the criminal legal-aid panel in protest at the new fee structure, which the minister has said is aimed at speeding up the District Court system.
‘Not accusing solicitors’
Minister O’Callaghan told the programme that he was not accusing solicitors of anything and recognised the important role they played in the administration of justice.
Referring to the Law Society, Minister O’Callaghan said: "I will meet with them. I have no difficulty meeting with them. And I'm sure there are some areas in terms of where they can make points to me that I will accept and engage with them.”
The minister said that he would look at issues such as the timing of payments and issues linked to the Children’s Court but added that he was “not going back to the old system”.
The Law Society said yesterday (22 July) that it was available to meet at any time to discuss and try to resolve the issue.