Costs of free legal aid to be tackled

THE Government is to bring in tough new measures to stem the spiralling cost of the free criminal legal aid system and crack down on abuses.

The service, first introduced in 1962, costs more than €50 million annually, with the bulk of expenditure going on fees fordefence lawyers. Costs have soared in the past five years, from €26.7m in 2004 to in excess of €55m last year.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said he intends to introduce legislation to tighten controls.