Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the Exchequer to date in 2009 of fees (details supplied) in relation to the ongoing Traveller feud in Tralee, County Kerry, which involves 32 individual legal aid applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid having regard to the criteria set out in the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962. The Deputy will appreciate that eligibility for legal aid in criminal cases is determined by the Judge hearing the case and that I have no function in this regard. Whether or not an applicant is a member of the traveller community is not a consideration in determining eligibility; nor is personal information of that nature retained in respect of individuals to whom legal aid is granted.