Cork criminal barristers withdraw services today over pay dispute

Cork criminal barristers have today joined a nationwide withdrawal of service.

The withdrawal of service by Cork criminal barristers comes in the third of three nationwide days of withdrawal.

To mark the withdrawal, a protest is being held outside the Washington Street courthouse.

Protests will also take place at 10 courthouses around the country, including Four Courts in Dublin, Carlow Town, Ennis Co. Clare, Buncrana Co Donegal, Naas Co Kildare, Kilkenny City, Merchant’s Quay Limerick, Longford Town, Sligo Town and Clonmel Co Tipperary.

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, which cut the pay of high earning public servants as part of the austerity measures following the 2008 financial crash.

This three-day interval of withdrawal in July is an escalation on the previous one-day strike which took place on October 3, 2023.

Following a series of correspondence with An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, in addition to Department of Justice officials, the situation remains at an impasse.

Shortly after that unprecedented day of withdrawal last October, a partial restoration of 10% of fees was confirmed in Budget 2024.

However, the full range of FEMPI-era cuts that were applied across the public sector, continue to apply to the profession, despite full pay being restored in other sectors.

While members of Government and the Opposition have signaled support for fee restoration, no commitment has been forthcoming regarding a timeline.

The Council of The Bar of Ireland reiterated its disappointment at the lack of Government action on the issue.

Chair of The Council of The Bar of Ireland, Sara Phelan SC said; “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.

“Despite repeated requests for meaningful engagement on this matter, no government minister has met us to discuss our request. We are being told that we must ‘wait until Budget Day’ – yet there is no rational reason for this” 

“Withdrawal of services, whether this term or at any other time, could be avoided if Government had considered the matter worthy of its timely attention," she said.

Chair of the Criminal State Bar Committee and incoming Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Seán Guern SC said; “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.

"The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has said there is ‘no good reason’ for us to be treated in this way.”