O’Callaghan must abandon failed Rambo tactics and resolve legal aid dispute
O’Callaghan must abandon failed Rambo tactics and resolve legal aid dispute - The Labour Party
Labour justice spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has today called on Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to accept that his criminal legal aid payment model is fundamentally flawed and resolve the dispute with solicitors, following Tuesday’s High Court judgment.
Deputy Kelly said:
“This is a deeply embarrassing judgment for Minister O’Callaghan. The High Court has described provisions of his scheme as “grossly unfair” and “demonstrably illogical”. His Rambo approach has failed, and today’s ruling exposes how badly he has handled this dispute.
“I have told the Minister that I believe reform is necessary but he must now accept that the way he has gone about this been hazardous and embarrassing. Behind this dispute are people who need the courts to work. Victims need cases to progress. Minister O’Callaghan must take responsibility for how badly he handled this situation. He must address the issues identified in this judgment and bring this dispute to an end.”