Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Taoiseach the total cost of legal services paid by the State in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1894/12]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Taoiseach the fees paid to barristers for services to the State in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1895/12]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Taoiseach the current tendering process undertaken when accessing legal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1896/12]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 75, inclusive, together.

I understand that the Deputy has clarified that the information he is seeking is in respect of the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The total cost of legal services, including barrister and solicitor fees, AG's Scheme, expert witnesses, stenographers, etc for the three Offices in 2010 and 2011 was as follows:

2010 €43.528 million

2011 €38.233 million (Provisional Outturn)

Of these costs the following were payments to barristers

2010 €27.106 million

2011 €23.768 million (Provisional Outturn) It is open to all barristers to apply to be placed on panels from which the Offices engage barristers. As set out in the Programme for Government the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been examining the possibility of tendering for procurement of barrister and solicitor services and the potential benefits involved.

The Department has accepted that, for the present, it would be preferable not to introduce competitive tendering in the normal sense as the Offices have been successful in reducing legal fees over recent years.