Barristers could strike if State does not consider pay restoration for prosecutors

Barristers could strike if State does not consider pay restoration for prosecutors

Ciara Murphy

Barristers could go on strike if the State does not consider pay restoration for prosecuting barristers, The Bar of Ireland has warned.

Ciara Murphy, chief executive of The Bar of Ireland, wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) last month after its case for higher fees was rejected by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).

The DPER told the DPP that barristers do not need the same treatment as State solicitors, who have had a 5.5 per cent pay restoration, because they are not public servants.

It added that there did not appear to be any significant issues in relation to the recruitment or retention of counsel that would adversely affect the State’s ability to effectively prosecute.

Ms Murphy, in a letter sent to the DPP last month, challenged the DPER’s position and said that barristers had been “penalised” and “punished” for not going on strike.

She said the Bar Council is making a “final appeal” on the issue.

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