Ruairí Quinn
Question:14 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the cost of external legal advice to his Department and the Attorney General's office for 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25565/98]
Written Answers - Legal Advice.
John Bruton
Question:15 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the amount available in the 1999 Estimates for his Department and the Attorney General's office for commissioning outside legal advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25606/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
In respect of my Department, no costs have been incurred in 1998 for external legal advice and there is no specific provision in the 1999 Estimate for my Department for commissioning such legal advice. There is a general provision for consultancies commissioned by my Department from which any such costs would, in the normal course, be met.
The bodies under the aegis of my Department are directly responsible for payments of costs from their financial allocations within Vote 3, including costs for legal advice if arising. No such costs have been incurred during 1998. The commissioning of legal advice is a matter entirely at the discretion of the bodies. I am advised that the All-Party Committee on the Constitution may have some minor legal costs arising in 1999.
External legal advice is sought as a matter of routine by the Office of the Attorney General, including the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. The 1998 provision to these offices for fees to counsel and general law expenses is £8.38 million. Expenditure to date amounted to £7.396 million. The expenditure encompasses the full range of legal services involving both civil and criminal cases. Given the number and range of cases it is not readily possible to isolate the amounts paid for advice only. The 1999 provision for fees to counsel and general law expenses is £12.24 million.