She was speaking during a Stormont adjournment debate on Tuesday (24 June) highlighting the need for better access to justice and legal services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Ms Egan has said: “No matter where you live across Northern Ireland, it’s imperative that you are able to access high quality legal support and justice-related provisions in a timely and sensitive manner.

“The Justice Minister and her department are taking ambitious steps to increase this access through a package of reforms including the adjustment of mileage rates for legal aid practitioners, working with the legal profession to ensure it’s an attractive prospect for young professionals, and reviewing legal aid remuneration.

“This work needs to be rolled out across the entirety of the region and can only happen if the department is funded adequately. Whilst this year’s budget was welcome, this needs to be sustained and consistently increased over the coming years.

“I’m particularly concerned about the practicalities of victims and survivors of domestic abuse being able to seek support to safely disengage from harmful relationships. For some victims and survivors, that step wouldn’t be possible without local support. Travelling hours for this support is costly both in terms of money and time, and the rurality of Fermanagh and South Tyrone only intensifies this gap in access to services.

“The lack of connectivity in the area due to the availability of public transport services has a major role to play here, highlighting the role other departments, like Infrastructure, have in ensuring access to justice.

“Alliance is committed to working with everyone to resolve these issues. Accessing legal services, like any other essential service in Northern Ireland, should not be a postcode lottery.”