The commitment, included in the draft programme for government agreed and published yesterday by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and independent TDs, does not set out a specific timetable for fee restoration.

Criminal legal aid fees remain well below pre-2008 levels in nominal terms, not taking into account inflation and increases in the cost of living, despite barristers staging unprecedented strikes in 2023 and 2024.

An eight per cent increase in criminal legal aid fees took effect on 1 January 2025 and followed a 10 per cent increase the previous year.

The draft programme for government also commits to enacting a Legal Aid Bill “to ensure financial assessment of means with powers to restrict legal aid or claw it back”.

The new government will also complete a “comprehensive review of the criminal justice system” within 12 months, followed by “an action plan to improve efficiency, remove blockages and cut waiting times”.

Other measures promised within 12 months include the appointment of 20 additional judges and the completion of reviews of the Courts Service and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).

The draft programme for government was presented to the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties yesterday and is now subject to approval by the party memberships.

The new government is set to take office next week when Micheál Martin is nominated as taoiseach on the Dáil’s return on Wednesday 22 January.