The Legal Aid Board has rejected criticisms of its refugee legal aid service voiced by Mr Peter Finlay, one of the Refugee Appeals Authorities, in The Irish Times on Saturday.
"Reports of suggestions by Mr Finlay that the service is not truly independent in providing legal advice and assistance to asylum-seekers are totally unfounded and untrue," Mr Frank Brady, the board's director of legal aid, said.
"The Refugee Legal Service provides a professional and independent legal service at all stages of the asylum process. Board members and staff, both solicitors and support staff, are totally committed to the provision of a quality service to asylum-seekers . . . There has never been any suggestion that the board is not truly independent in the exercise of its statutory functions."