Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department's litigation branch manages and co-ordinates litigation claims and, in so doing, works closely with both the State Claims Agency, SCA, and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, CSSO.

The Deputy will be aware that all claims for personal injuries taken by current and former members of the Defence Forces have been delegated to the SCA. The SCA manages and provides legal representation in relation to personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence. External legal costs incurred by the State Claims Agency arising from the defence of any claims managed by the agency for my Department are refunded to the agency by the Department. Employment law matters taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on my behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. That office is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in the litigation cases that it manages on behalf of my Department. In the past three years, 2021 to 2023, inclusive, the total value of settlements arising from litigation in which I was a listed party to the proceedings was just over €7.5 million, rather than €10 million.

In respect of the costs arising from the settlement of cases, my Department is in daily contact with both the State Claims Agency and Chief State Solicitor's Office regarding the active management of litigation cases, with a focus on achieving the most equitable outcomes and the minimisation of costs wherever possible.

Any costs incurred within the litigation process are closely monitored and are subject to rigorous review, oversight and regular reporting within my Department. Any expenditure incurred within the litigation process will continue to be monitored closely as the cases are proactively managed in consultation with both the State Claims Agency and the Chief State Solicitor's Office.

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