Highlighting the longstanding pressures facing criminal defence practitioners, Mr Mulholland has called for meaningful engagement between the justice minister and the solicitors’ profession, warning that continued inaction and misplaced criticism risk further undermining the administration of justice.

Speaking on the matter, Mr Mulholland stated: “It is astounding that certain members of the judiciary, while understandably frustrated by the dysfunction within our criminal justice system, have chosen to direct their criticism towards the solicitors’ profession.

“Such remarks are deeply disappointing and risk undermining a profession that has sustained the criminal justice system through generations of goodwill, often while operating at an economic loss.

“That goodwill has been steadily eroded, and the consequences for access to justice and the wider administration of justice cannot be ignored.

“It is high time the Minister for Justice took responsibility for delivering meaningful reform, beginning with genuine engagement with a solicitors’ profession whose concerns have repeatedly gone unanswered.

“The apparent lack of understanding and sympathy displayed by certain members of the bench only serves to aggravate an already serious situation, particularly given the Law Society of Ireland’s transparency regarding the ongoing industrial dispute and the extensive coverage it has received in both local and national media.

“The profession is not the cause of this crisis. It should not be made the scapegoat for systemic failures that require political leadership and meaningful reform.”

Mr Mulholland’s comments come following comments made by Judge Nolan in the Circuit Court yesterday where he stated that striking solicitors have “lost sight of their duty to their clients” in custody.

Solicitors have been withdrawing their services since June in opposition to the “one accused, one fee” model for criminal legal aid that was introduced by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan on 1 July. Under the new scheme solicitors will receive one fixed fee of €520 for representing a legally aided person before the District Court. Previously solicitors were paid €239.38 for a first appearance and €59.86 for each subsequent appearance.