Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1005. To ask the Minister for Health the total amount spent externally by his Department on legal advice for each year since 2015; the solicitors firms involved; the barristers, junior and senior, that provided services to his Department for each such year; the amounts paid to each firm or person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department is aware of the need to minimise costs and in general, avails of legal services and advice from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. My Department has a Legal Unit, staffed by qualified legal professionals who provide advice on a wide range of international legal issues. Having such "in-house" legal experts reduces the costs which would be incurred if the Department was to engage externally for similar services. However, occasionally specialised legal services are required.

The figures requested by the Deputy are not immediately available and I will revert to the Deputy once the Department has collated the required figures.