Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 467: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has sought legal advice from outside legal advisers; and the fees paid to each such legal adviser in 2004 and 2005. [15770/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Legal advice and related support services for my Department are supplied by the office of the Attorney General and the office of the Chief State Solicitor, as appropriate.

During the years 2004 and 2005, my Department incurred expenditure in seeking legal and technical advice on the development of occupational and personal pensions, particularly in the context of the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002 and related regulations, and on the EU Pension Funds Directive.

The total amount paid in respect of such advice was €1,452 to Matheson Ormsby Prentice solicitors in 2004, and €9,400 to Steptoe and Johnson solicitors in 2005.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 468: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the legal advisers or other qualified lawyers employed in a professional capacity by State bodies under the aegis of his Department. [15784/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition, the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department.

The Pensions Board is the only State body, operating under the aegis of my Department, that employs a legal adviser in a professional capacity.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 469: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has legal advisers of its own, naming the officers in question; and the reason effect has not been given to the recommendation in the report of the review into the Law Offices of the State, 1997, that legal advice should be given to the Government only by the Attorney General and his office. [15798/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has a post of legal adviser, which is currently vacant due to a career break absence. The role of the post is clearly defined and states that the remit shall not encroach in any way upon the functions of the office of the Attorney General. All matters of major significance requiring legal advice continue to be referred to the Attorney General and advice from the Department's own legal adviser is not cited in any proposals being put before Government.