Vol. 303 No. 7
asked the Minister for Justice if he has received the report from the Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice; and if he is now in a position to state whether the Government intends to introduce a comprehensive system of legal aid and advice and to give emergency aid to family law cases in the interim.
5.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has received the report of the Pringle Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the provision of civil legal aid and advice.
7.
asked the Minister for Justice when he expects to publish the report of the Pringle Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice; and when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement their recommendations.
8.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is intended to extend free legal aid; and if the matter is under consideration.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together. I am assuming that Deputy O'Leary's question relates to civil legal aid.
I received the report of the Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice on 14 December last. The report, which is long and detailed, is at present with the printers. It will be published as soon as printed copies are available, which I hope will be within a few weeks. In the meantime, I am proceeding with my examination of the report with a view to submitting proposals to the Government as soon as possible and I shall, of course, be dealing with the question of legal aid for particular types of cases—including family law cases—as an interim measure in that context.
In view of the fact that the report has been available to the Minister in the past two months can he say when he will have a scheme under way?
I repeat that the report is being printed and will be published in a short time. Detailed examination of it is at present being undertaken by the Department and I will be making a submission to the Government in regard to it. I am not in a position to say now when the study will be finalised, and until such time as it is I am not in a position to furnish submissions to the Government.
The Minister has had the report during the past two months. In view of the urgency of the problem and of commitments, particularly in the family law area, can the Minister give any indication of whether he is talking about weeks, months or years?
The Deputy can be assured that the examination is being proceeded with with all due haste.
