There is chaos in our courts as a result of the justice Minister's mishandling of the criminal legal aid scheme review. We now see solicitors resigning from the criminal legal aid panel, increasing numbers of cases being adjourned, people going without legal representation and others with no legal expertise attempting to represent themselves. This is a criminal justice system on the brink of collapse, and the justice Minister seems entirely satisfied to let this continue.

Will the Government allow this to continue or will it intervene to ensure the complexity of this issue is recognised? Will it suspend the changes made by the Minister, engage in real consultation with all stakeholders and deliver a criminal legal aid scheme that is efficient for court services, prudent with public finances and has the confidence of the Irish people?

I am very much aware of how important solicitors are to our criminal justice system and our constitutional right to representation, which is the undercurrent of any constitutional democracy. Every Government has to reform, however, and it is key that in working with the Minister for justice and having dialogue with the parties concerned, we get an agreement here. The Government has to be very clear. If we look at the data over the last number of years, there has been a 115% increase in fees in the criminal justice system, yet the number of cases has reduced.

We have to tackle the issues with reform in that regard. I am sure the Deputy would support that when he sees data like that. Critically, we have countered the current offer-----

The engagement has not taken place.

-----of it equating to five appearances in the District Court plus an additional 8%. We need to have a landing zone for this as a Government. We need to ensure that gardaí and solicitors can do their jobs and that the criminal justice system can function but a Government has to reform and we cannot be held back from doing that.

Will engagement take place?