Public Defenders

Work on a government paper exploring the introduction of a US-style public defender system as a replacement for legal aid is nearly complete, according to reports. The coalition's programme for government includes a commitment to "independently examine the option of a dedicated system of public defe

The mooted introduction of a US-style system of salaried public defenders in Ireland would be a "complete disaster", lawyers have said. The new programme for government includes a commitment to "independently examine the option of a dedicated system of public defenders".