Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
235 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the composite amount paid to lawyers engaged by or on behalf of the State in any forum or for any purpose, including tribunals, courts, consultancies, legislative drafting and other work during 2003; the amount paid from 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31337/04]
View answer236 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the ten highest composite figures paid to barristers engaged by or on behalf of the State in any forum or for any purpose, including tribunals, courts, consultancies, legislative drafting and other work during 2003; the ten highest figures paid from 1 January 2004; the names of the barristers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31338/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.
My Department uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, and engages outside legal advisors in circumstances requiring legal advice of a specific and-or specialist nature. My Department has also had secondments to it from private sector legal firms.
The total amount paid by my Department to lawyers engaged by it, including secondments, in 2003 was €185,431. The total amount paid, including secondments, from 1 January 2004 to 31 October 2004 was €162,992. My Department did not make payments to barristers in 2003 or 2004.
