Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate of the cost of legal services which the State paid for in 2007 and to date in 2008; and if he is satisfied that effective measures are in place to minimise this cost. [38789/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The following table sets out expenditure in 2007 and to date in 2008 on contracts for legal services by my department and the related offices.

In general, my Department uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, and seeks outside legal advisers in circumstances requiring legal services of a specific and/or specialist nature. The guidelines on the engagement of external support apply in such circumstances and require that such external support is procured only where essential. My Department requires that each office and department confirms regularly that these guidelines are applied.

In the time available, the Office of Public Works was unable to collate the information sought. I have asked that office to communicate the relevant information direct to the Deputy.