asked the Minister for Justice the cost to the State, to date, of the McDonald extradition case.
Written Answers. - Cost of Extradition Case.
53.
I am informed by the Attorney General that, to date, a total of £20,381 in fees (including VAT) has been paid out of his office's Vote to counsel for the State in legal proceedings in connection with the extradition of Kevin Anthony McDonald. Further sums will be payable to State counsel and to Mr. McDonald's lawyers by way of legal aid in respect of various legal proceedings which have been taken by Mr. McDonald in the High Court and the Supreme Court. Not all of these proceedings have yet been concluded and it is not possible at this stage to state what the final figure will be.
In so far as my Department is concerned, the two areas with an involvement in the case are the courts and the Garda Síochána. No additional costs arose under the courts Vote and, as far as Garda costs are concerned, I am informed that the compilation of the information sought would involve a disproportionate amount of Garda resources which could not be justified at the present time.