Withdrawal of Services: Email Your Local TD

Subject: (Your name and address): Third day of barrister protest – still no Government action; why?

Dear (name of TD),

I am writing as a constituent of yours to express my ongoing concern regarding the continued lack of progress on the issue of fees paid to criminal barristers by the State.

As you know, barristers withdrew services on Tuesday 9th, then again on Monday 15th July and now for the third time this year on Wednesday 24th.  As long as the delay in resolving this matter continues, your constituents and victims of crime will continue to be impacted.

As it stands, the matter is falling between Minister Paschal Donohue, Department of Public Expenditure and NDP Reform and Minister Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice.  This is wholly unacceptable considering what is at stake! Read the correspondence from and to the Minister at: www.lawlibrary.ie/fairisfair

Some of your colleagues have raised PQs on this matter and they are published on The Bar of Ireland’s Linkedin page.

The Bar is simply calling for an independent review mechanism as part of a pathway to full restoration of fees cuts applying since 2002.

My ask:

I urge you to raise this issue with your colleagues in Government and in the Dáil; and request them to meet with representatives of The Bar of Ireland in the hope of avoiding further disruption that will impact on your constituents; including the victims of crime, those accused of criminal offences, juries and others involved in the administration of criminal justice.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

(Your address)