asked the Minister for Justice the number of occasions on which the Committee on Legal Aid and Advice on Civil Matters has met; when it is intended that the committee will report finally to the Minister; and the names of the persons appointed to the committee.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Aid Committee.
36.
The members of the Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice are as follows:
The Hon. Mr. Justice Denis Pringle (chairman),
The Hon. Mr. Justice Liam Hamilton,
Mr. Thomas G. Crotty, County Registrar, Kilkenny,
Mr. Brian M. Gallagher, Solicitor— Representing Free Legal Advice Centres,
Mr. James J. Ivers, director general of the Incorporated Law Society,
Mr. Eunan E. H. McCarron, Solicitor,
Mr. T. Brown, social and economic adviser to the Minister for Social Welfare,
Mr. C.K. McGrath, Department of Finance,
Mr. J.C. McMahon, Department of the Public Service, and
Mr. Pearse Rayel, Department of Justice.
The committee are aware of my desire to receive their final report on the introduction of a system of legal aid and advice in civil matters as soon as possible. Indeed, the desirability of an early report is implicit in their terms of reference. However, as the subject is complex and as most of the members of the committee are giving their services voluntarily I consider that it would be inappropriate for me to inquire from the committee as to the number of meetings they have had or when they hope to report finally to me, or to do anything else that might appear to be putting pressure on them. I have no doubt that the committee will carry out their task with the utmost expedition.
The Minister said on another occasion that he did give the committee a time limit in which to finalise a report. Can the Minister not help the committee by asking them to give an interim report say after six months or a year? It would be most helpful if he did this sort of thing. I appreciate that those people are doing a voluntary job and I share the Minister's attitude to them but I do think they should be assisted.
The desirability of an early report is implicit in their terms of reference and I have no doubt that this committee, in view of their composition, will give an interim report if they think that is in the interests of their task.
Would the Minister consider asking them to give an interim report?
No.
Would the Minister not consider giving them some form of lead?
No, because this committee are of such a status and their terms of reference are so devised that if they think it is right and wise to give an interim report they will do so without prodding by me.
Can the Minister give an assurance that he is completely satisfied, in view of the urgency of providing some scheme along those lines, that this committee will let us have a report in a reasonable space of time?
I feel I can give that assurance because the committee are composed of distinguished people who are well aware of the urgency of their task.
I am not concerned with the composition of the committee, we are all aware of the individuals who compose the committee, but is the Minister aware of, and is he prepared to deal with the widespread disappointment over the fact that this committee are not getting on with their job no matter who the individuals are?
In fairness to this committee I must refute the suggestion that they are not getting on with their job. That is a completely unjustified reflection on this distinguished committee and I must refute it here. We should be very grateful that those people are prepared to give voluntarily of their free time to do an important public work without having to face being pilloried in this House.
Will the Minister, apart from giving a general refutation of my accusation, outline for us then how often the committee have met and what results have been achieved to date?
If the Deputy wants to put down a question to me I will ask the committee for those details but I suggest to the Deputy that——
The Minister does not know.
——it would be inappropriate because——
We will have to pass on to the next question.
——I have sufficient confidence in this committee not to police their every action.
The Minister does not know.