Dublin Solicitors Bar Association

Lobbying Organisation Dublin Solicitors Bar Association

Date published 11 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Submission on Civil Legal Aid to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on the 6th February

Intended results The DSBA seeks Government decisions and funding to deliver a properly resourced, independent civil legal aid system that removes financial barriers, enables early access to solicitors, reforms remuneration and delivery models, expands scope and coverage, and positions the Legal Aid Board—rather than new bodies—as the central lead for access to justice reform.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity The DSBA President, Paul Ryan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

Submission on Civil Legal Aid to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Letter (1)

Letter dated 9th March 2026 to Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration setting out DSBA members’ concerns regarding the proposed introduction of a single flat-rate fee for District Court criminal legal aid cases.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Jim O'Callaghan Minister (Department of Justice)