Barristers feel 'frustrated and let down'
Cork criminal barristers withdrew their services yesterday as part of a nationwide day of protest linked to a reduction in pay some years ago.
Protests took place at 11 courthouses around the country yesterday, including on Washington Street.
The Council of The Bar of Ireland recommended the withdrawal of service to members in response to a continued lack of progress on the restoration of fees imposed in the FEMPI-era.
This era refers to legislation provided the basis for the Public Service Pay and Public Service Pension reductions and the reforms that took place between 2009 and 2015.
Yesterday’s protest was part of three days of protest throughout July and an escalation on the previous one day of withdrawal which took place on 3 October 2023.
Chair of The Council of The Bar of Ireland, Sara Phelan SC, said: “The issue continues to be an orphan, and there’s a leadership vacuum in Government.
“Communications from An Taoiseach, and from Minister McEntee have done little to progress our request for an independent review.
“Our members feel frustrated and let down, and once more are obliged to come out on the steps of courthouses to make their point,” added Ms Phelan.
Despite repeated requests for meaningful engagement on the matter, The Council of The Bar of Ireland said that no Government minister has met to discuss it request.
Ms Phelan continued: “We are being told that we must ‘wait until Budget day’ – yet there is no rational reason for this when public sector pay agreements have been committed to ahead of Budget day, with a view to then being implemented in the Budget. There is no reason why a similar commitment cannot be given to criminal practitioners.”
Chair of the Criminal State Bar Committee and incoming Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Seán Guern SC, added: “We deeply regret being forced once more to cause further disruption with this third day of withdrawal of service.
“We are at a loss as to why our profession is being left to endure FEMPI-era cuts, while every other category of worker who provides services to the State has had their reductions unwound,” he added.