asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that due to the absence of an organised system for providing free legal defence for poor persons involved in criminal and civil actions great hardship is inflicted on people without the means to present their defence in the courts and whether in the interests of justice he is prepared to promote the establishment of a legal department to advise poor persons and to conduct their defence in all courts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Aid for Poor Persons.
I am not prepared to promote the establishment of a department on the lines requested by the Deputy.