Ireland's Civil Legal Aid System in Crisis, Says Flac and President Connolly

Ireland's civil legal aid system is «in crisis» and «at risk of collapse», according to the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac). Flac chief executive Eilis Barry welcomed President Catherine Connolly's recent comments on continuing «unmet legal needs» and the «frustratingly slow» pace of reform, echoing concerns raised by the chief justice in January.

President Connolly, speaking at a Law Society of Ireland event, highlighted that the right to access justice underpins the legal system. She referenced the upcoming July 2025 publication of the civil legal aid review, which identifies barriers to justice and the costs of inadequate access, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The review, prompted by criticism from international human rights organizations, recommends various reforms.

Connolly also noted persistent obstacles for those seeking to have cases heard in Irish, despite constitutional protections. Flac expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on reforms and the absence of a timeline for responding to the review reports.