David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I find that extraordinary. It is part of the problem as we in the Opposition come up against advice given by the Office of the Attorney General. That is the position.

Teachta Connolly dealt with an issue in Mr. Donoghue's opening statement. He spoke about the largest single area of the €40.9 million cost being €16.4 million arising from the fees paid to counsel who prosecute cases on behalf of the director. He states the establishment of the new Court of Appeal in 2014 and the Special Criminal Court in 2015 have contributed to a steady rise in fees in counsel expenditure in recent years. Is the increased expenditure down to an increase in volume, in cost to counsel or both?