22 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the availability in the State of legal aid in civil cases is meeting the need of members of the public; the proposals, if any, he has to provide a more adequate service; whether he proposes to implement the recommendations of the Pringle Committee; his views on whether Ireland is in breach of EC treaties in failing to provide an adequate legal aid scheme in civil cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

26 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting period for appointments at each free legal aid centre; the number of staff based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

28 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether (1) the current civil aid scheme is unsatisfactory and (2) the Government is under a moral obligation to substantially increase the funding of the legal aid board so as to ensure that no person will be barred from recourse to the courts due to a lack of the necessary financial means.

57 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Justice the current position in each of the law centres in relation to the waiting time to see new clients.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 26, 28 and 57 together.

The waiting periods for applicants for legal aid in the various Law Centres and the number of staff based at each location are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to have circulated in the Official Report.