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Annual Report 2007 - Foreword from the Chairperson
The Legal Aid Board was originally set up as far back as 1979 and was established on a statutory basis in 1995. With the passage of such time, I believe it is instructive to set out the context in which the Board operates and to briefly outline its impact.
At a fundamental level, we are engaged in providing access to justice for those in our society whose means would otherwise preclude them from receiving legal advice and assistance. Access to justice can be seen as being more than simply having a right to take or defend a claim in the courts; it is also about a legal system that is equally accessible to all and one that leads to results that are individually and socially just. Having a right to something is of little practical benefit if that right cannot be exercised.
In general, the provision of legal services is seen as necessary in order to provide such access to justice. The provision of a civil legal aid system has tended to be the almost universal response to problems of access to justice amongst the more financially disadvantaged members of society. The Board is acutely aware of the importance of legal aid in Ireland as a social and egalitarian provision and that, without it, a great number of people would not be able to get the legal assistance they need and are entitled to.
Legal aid and advice is now provided through a network of 33 law centres covering the entire country. Since its establishment, the Board has provided legal services in over 180,000 cases. While the bulk of these cases were family law matters, the demand for services in other civil law areas has increased over time.
In 2007, the Board again increased its level of service provision on the civil legal aid side and provided legal services to some 18,000 persons. There was a drop in the number of asylum seekers seeking services from the Board but this was in line with the trend of lower numbers applying for asylum in this jurisdiction. As an organisation, we strive to continue delivering on our mandate whilst also developing and seeking better ways of achieving our objectives.
Looking to the future, I anticipate that we will need to look more closely at delivering our services in a more integrated manner, in tandem with other associated public services such as family mediation, money and debt advice, information provision and welfare services. This approach is one which is being increasingly adopted internationally and is seen to have considerable benefits for individuals, families and society in general.
The statutory Board, appointed in late 2006, enjoyed a busy first full year in situ. There were 11 Board meetings in 2007 and a substantial programme of committee meetings, including 13 meetings of the Appeal Committee. During the year, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform nominated Ms Niamh Moran to serve on the Board, to replace Mr. John Lindsay following his appointment as a District Court Judge.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues on the Board for their commitment and dedication to their role in ensuring that the organisation continued in 2007 to be effective in what is a particularly important function. Considerable thanks is due also to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Secretary General and staff of that Department for the support provided during the year. I am confident that we have delivered effectively on our mandate.
I would also like to express my appreciation of both the Chief Executive and staff of the Board who worked in a committed and professional manner in 2007 to help ensure that the Board continued to provide essential legal services to those most at need in our society.
Unfortunately, I must conclude on a sad note by expressing my sincere regret and that of my fellow Board members at the passing of Nóirín Slattery, in March 2008. Nóirín was a valued and dedicated member of the current – and indeed previous – Board. She will be sadly missed.
Anne Colley
Chairperson
June 2008
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