Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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2152. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40852/25]

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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2153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40872/25]

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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2177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41604/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2152, 2153 and 2177 together.

Litigation and external legal advice are dealt with on behalf of the Department by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for my Department where necessary. The costs of any external solicitors or counsel in such litigation are not managed by my Department.

The information requested from the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.