Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1346. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [14129/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The main requirement for legal services by my Department is in the context of litigation, usually in the form of administrative law and personal injury proceedings. The Chief State Solicitor's Office and the State Claims Agency manage and provide legal representation in relation to all cases taken against the Minister for Defence. In addition while my Department does not engage the services directly it funds the provision of legal aid in respect of Court Marital Appeals Court cases.

Outside of the cases managed by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency, a payment of €15,100.49 was made in 2015 in respect of professional legal and advisory services supplied to my Department by a legal representative based in Lebanon.

In addition a payment of €1482.15 including VAT was made in 2016 in respect of legal advice supplied by Anthony Kerr BL on two matters being dealt with by the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Branch.