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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Funds of Suitors Act.

Staffing at Cork’s second law centre

Summary

Wallace argues that one solicitor at the new Cork centre will not resolve understaffing and delays, noting that a solicitor at the existing centre is absent. Noonan maintains the additional solicitor will make a significant difference; the exchange ends with brief banter.

I welcome the setting up of the second law centre in Cork. The Minister said there were five solicitors in the existing centre. I am sure he is aware that one of them has been out sick for over 12 months. In actual fact, only four solicitors are operating in the law centre in the North Mall. I am disappointed that only one solicitor will be operating in the new centre. I do not see any immediate improvement. They are understaffed at the moment. The Minister mentioned a delay of three or four weeks, but there are major delays in Cork and many complaints.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy will have to proceed by way of question.

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I am referring to my own Question No. 16. I asked about the second law centre. I am sure I am in order.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I got the impression that the Deputy was making statements on the position as given by the Minister.

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I am not giving any impression. I am stating a fact.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

You are giving information instead of looking for it.

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The information is not correct.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We cannot have an argument about it. You will have to make a speech somewhere else.

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I am asking the Minister does he not agree that the setting up of a second law centre with one solicitor will not improve the position in Cork because of the problems we have at present.

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(Limerick East): The situation in Cork is much better than it is in Dublin at the moment.

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We have problems in Cork.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Please, Deputy, you asked a question and you should allow the Minister to answer it.

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(Limerick East): The extra solicitor will make a big difference. I have provided an extra law centre for Cork. An extra Circuit Court judge is going down there. I will be opening three Garda barracks down there shortly. If this goes on I will have to stand in Cork.

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Will the Minister stand in Spike Island?

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(Limerick East): Is the Deputy going back to Strasbourg tonight?

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