Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent on legal fees by him in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45626/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, my Department uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. However it seeks outside legal advisors in circumstances requiring legal services of a specific nature. The following amounts were paid by my Department in respect of such legal fees for the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010:

2008 €1.873m

2009 €5.876m

2010 €3.922m*

*Does not include legal fees paid by the Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent by him on fees to a bank (details supplied) since September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45634/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have not spent any money directly with the bank. As was stated in the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent report, the NTMA spent €4.54 million with the bank in the period between September 2009 and July 2010.

A recent letter from the NTMA to the Public Accounts Committee stated that "Rothschild were appointed to provide banking advisory services to the Minister for Finance, acting through the NTMA under two separate contracts: 15 September 2009 and 12 July 2010.... The September 2009 contract was for a fixed fee of €1.75 million (ex VAT). The July 2010 contract was for a fixed fee of €4 million (ex VAT). Total fees paid so far of €4.5 million (inc VAT) are as provided for in these contracts." I understand that this position has not changed since then.