Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of her Department use solicitors' firms (details supplied); the amount paid to these solicitors each year from 2011 to 2014 by her Department or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of her Department; the periods for which her Department or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of her Department are contracted to use these solicitors' firms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9198/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department and certain bodies under its aegis has engaged the services of the legal firms referred to during the stated period.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has engaged the first named legal firm for the provision of legal services in the years 2011 to 2014. Expenditure in the period is as follows.

The second named legal firm has been retained by the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the Courts Service and some areas of my Department (in respect of specific work) during the stated period. Expenditure in the period is as follows.

The ISI may retain the services of the firm until October 2017.

The Courts Service retained second named legal firm on foot of a competitive public procurement exercise to provide legal advisory and drafting services to the court rules committees and advice on courts legislation. The contract is for a period of 5 years, having commenced on 1 January 2011 and expiring on 31 December 2015.

Three areas of my Department engaged the second named legal firmin 2011/12 for specific legal services and the work involved has now been completed. The services of the second named legal firm are no longer being used by my Department.