Sean Barrett (Independent)

Moreover, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is working to reduce such costs. I also note material is available that in the last review, the office created 13% fewer files and 53% fewer amendments, while Bills had 60% fewer sections. However, in the context of the comprehensive public expenditure review, the attempts to get value for money and the advice from the IMF that Irish legal costs are excessive, it seems strange that the State's own legal bills are rising so rapidly. The comprehensive public expenditure review should examine urgently the rapid increase in the budget for legal services at a time when it is urgent for the country to reduce the cost of such services.