Legal profession raises concerns over remote court hearings

The issue of remote hearings is a concern of the General Council of the Bar of Ireland, an Oireachtas Committee has been told.

Ms. Maura McNally SC, and chair of the council, said broadband leaves a lot to be desired.

She elaborated: “Broadband capacity, and the investment in the infrastructure required, has been dismal.

“Broadband capacity outside of Dublin and certain built-up areas is limited.

“If a practitioner is trying to run a case in Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Kerry or some of the islands off the coast, his or her chance of an appropriate remote hearing using the current technological capacity, which has purportedly been the object of investment, is limited to say the least.

“It is abysmal.

“It is fine once one passes a certain point on the M4, the M7 or the M9.

"I do not wish to be geographical but outside a certain area remote hearings just do not work.

“The signal breaks up.”