Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 371: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual expenditure on external legal costs by his Department in each of the past five years; the annual expenditure on external legal costs by each of the agencies under his aegis in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17844/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can inform the Deputy that, for the most part, the legal services sought by my Department and its associated bodies are co-ordinated and paid for by the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. These services are typically sought in the context of the preparation of legislation, legal advice in respect of policy issues and in the management of litigation including judicial reviews.

In a number of instances, my Department and its associated bodies, in accordance with normal procurement procedures, have sought and paid for legal advice and services additional to those provided for centrally by the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor. However, in the time available to reply to this Question, it has not been possible to gather and compile the information sought by the Deputy in respect of these costs.