Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
301 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [31885/04]
View answer302 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [31899/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29 — International Co-operation. Within Vote 28, legal fees are paid from two subheads. Subhead A3 covers general legal expenses while subhead A6 covers fees paid for advice relating to leasing or purchasing properties, generally to firms abroad. The Department also received legal advice in relation to the development of its automated passport system project. All costs incurred under Vote 29 were incurred overseas and relate to general legal services.
The amounts paid in legal fees for the periods referred to by the Deputy are as follow:
|
Vote /Subhead |
2003 |
2004 to date |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Vote 28 — Subhead A3 |
31,758.55 |
105,719.79 |
|
Vote 28 — Subhead A6 |
39,995.77 |
30,869.72 |
|
Automated Passport System |
9,504.52 |
9,971.85 |
|
Vote 29 |
26,157.00 |
25,907.00 |
No distinction is made in many jurisdictions outside Ireland between solicitors and barristers. It is possible, therefore, to give only the composite amount that was paid to lawyers out of Vote 28 subhead 6 and Vote 29. In 2003, the only payment from subhead A3 to a barrister was a payment of €8,131 paid to Mr. Paul McGarry, barrister at law, for advice provided to delegates to the European Convention. The remaining payments from A3 in 2003 and all payments in 2004 were either paid to firms abroad, to firms of solicitors or, in one case, to an academic. The legal advice in connection with the automated passport system was received also from a firm of solicitors. While all payments in Ireland, apart from the one referred to above, were made to firms of solicitors, the Department would not be aware whether those who provided advice were also qualified as barristers.
