Justice & Equality Committee to meet Chairperson Designate of Legal Aid Board

The Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and legal aid in civil cases to persons of modest means who satisfy the requirements of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The Board also provides mediation services to persons through the Family Mediation Service and it is responsible for the administration of the Garda Station Legal Advice Scheme, the Legal Aid – Custody Issues Scheme and the Criminal Assets Bureau Legal Aid Scheme.

Committee Chairman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: “We look forward to meeting Philip O’Leary who has been nominated as Chairperson Designate of the Legal Aid Board.

“Those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are now required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee. Tomorrow, we will have our first opportunity to engage with Mr O’Leary on what he sees are the priorities and challenges for the Legal Aid Board in the coming years. Committee members will also have a chance to raise any issues they may have regarding the Board.

“The Committee does not have a blocking role in the appointment and following the discussion tomorrow, decisions will be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm Mr O’Leary as chairperson.”

This meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 at 9am tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 January 2017.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS