State solicitors defer strike

Strike action by state solicitors operating outside Dublin has been deferred for one week to allow for negotiations between the State Solicitors' Association and management representing the Chief State Solicitor, Mr Michael Buckley.

The deferral of the strike, which was due to start today, follows proposals which Mr Buckley put at the weekend to the association's president, Mr Michael Murray, on the system of payment to the 32 state solicitors who operate outside the capital.

Mr Murray, who is state solicitor for Limerick, said that after a "long and difficult meeting" on Saturday the executive of the association had agreed to defer strike action to allow for negotiations. "Things are at a very delicate stage," he said. "We're not satisfied with the proposals, but there is an opportunity there for negotiation."

State solicitors outside Dublin are lawyers in private practice who are contracted to prosecute cases on behalf of the State. Their system of payment is a complex one whereby they are paid partly by salary and then later reimbursed for staff costs, overheads and expenses. The association claims that solicitors are effectively "subsidising the State" by up to £600,000 annually.

State solicitors in Dublin would not be affected by any pending strike action because they are paid directly as civil servants.

The executive of the association is to meet again next Saturday following negotiations during the week.