Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expected total legal costs to be incurred in his Department in 2012; his proposals to reduce these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44067/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is not possible to predict legal costs with certainty in advance. However, the Department has made budgetary provision for the following:

It is anticipated that a similar level of budgetary provision will be made for 2013, but actual expenditure may differ considerably depending on events and outcomes of proceedings. The allocation for these costs is kept under review on an ongoing basis.

Litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary in relation to personal injuries claims and other matters.

Legal advice on contractual and other matters arising from time to time is initially sought from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and/or the Office of the Attorney General, and the use of external legal advisors for such requirements is kept to a minimum. Missions abroad may have to engage local legal advisers from time to time and in such cases Missions are under instruction to procure such services by competitive process in accordance with Guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.