Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the firms of solicitors or individual barristers which he has engaged on a contractual basis in the past 18 months; the purpose of that engagement; the fees already paid or an estimate of the fees expected to be paid by the conclusion of the tasks engaged for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19172/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Where my Department requires legal advice on matters other than those which are dealt with by the Department's own Legal Division, such advice is usually provided by the Chief State Solicitor's Office or the Office of Attorney General, who in turn may retain counsel if this is required. In particular circumstances, my Department may engage solicitors or barristers to assist on a particular matter within the State. However, no such engagements have been entered into within the past 18 months. In addition, the Department's Missions abroad may need to engage local lawyers from time to time to advise on matters of local law.