Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1146: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to and the damages paid by the State in relation to judicial reviews that his Department were responsible for in each of the years 1997 to 2007 inclusive; and if he will provide the information in tabular readable form. [1115/08]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1147: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for judicial review that his Department was responsible for in each of the years 1997 to 2007; the number of applications where leave was granted for each year; and if he will present the information in tabular readable form. [1130/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1146 and 1147 together.

I have set out information relevant to the Deputy's query, in particular insofar as 2007 is concerned, in the table. In light of the limited time available for reply and the nature of the request, it would not be feasible to compile the equivalent figures over a 10 year period without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff time.

The Deputy should note that the information provided concerning costs and damages, new applications and applications where leave was granted in 2007 reflects that presently available to my Department. The Deputy should also note that there may be instances of leave having granted to seek judicial review in 2007 where the related papers have not yet been forwarded to my Department.

I can further inform the Deputy that the Chief State Solicitor Office (CSSO) acts on my behalf in civil actions involving my Department and all costs in relation to legal advice or assistance given to my Department are borne by the vote of the CSSO. However, in civil cases where the Court awards costs against my Department or where the case is settled prior to the Court hearing and one of the terms of the settlement is that my Department bears the legal costs of the opposing side, these costs are paid from my Department's vote.