The dispute between criminal legal aid solicitors and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan continues, with tensions escalating over proposed changes to the way criminal defence solicitors are paid.
The row has already had a significant impact on the criminal justice system, with solicitors withdrawing their services in protest over the reforms. The Minister has criticised the Law Society’s approach, saying that every concession he makes is followed by demands for more.
But the Law Society has firmly rejected those comments, accusing the Minister of mischaracterising the position of criminal legal aid practitioners and describing his remarks as “fundamentally unhelpful”.
With concerns remaining over the impact on the courts and access to justice, criminal defence solicitor in Drogheda, Paddy Goodwin, joined us on The Agenda this morning to discuss the dispute and what happens next.