Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

If that had been flagged to the Bar Council two weeks ago, there would not have been the loss of an entire day of criminal cases. The Bar Council was not in any way aware of any move by the Government to do any sort of restoration of fees. If the Minister had said to the Bar Council two weeks ago what she has just said to me, its day of action would not have occurred, which was flagged on 12 July. As outlined in the budgetary submission from the Bar Council of Ireland, in September 2008, there was a non-payment of the 2.5% increase per the public service pay agreement; in March 2009, there was an 8% reduction in fee levels at the same time as the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts; in April 2010, there was an 8% reduction in fee levels at the same time as FEMPI cuts; and in October 2011, there was a reduction of 10%. They are the only people standing in a courtroom whose fees have not been restored. Will the Minister provide a timeline as to when she expects the full restoration of fees, as others have had?

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