In view of the fact that persons in areas outside the major cities are totally denied access to free legal aid centres — I refer particularly to my own constituency — would the Minister consider as a matter of urgency the possibility of farming out legal aid work to private practioners?

They are doing it.

There may not be the requirement for fully staffed legal aid centres in smaller towns. Would he consider allowing legal aid work to be done by private practioners?

While I sympathise with the claim made by the Deputy, finance has not been made available for the expansion of this scheme.

Has the Minister read the Pringle Report?

Not recently, but I have read it in the past.

Perhaps the Minister did not take it in.