Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
376 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht 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. [31880/04]
View answer377 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht 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. [31894/04]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 376 and 377 together.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out as follows: Amounts paid to lawyers, including solicitors and barristers, in 2003 was €80,800.57 — for solicitors only — and in 2004 was €26,405.48. The amounts paid to barristers were nil in 2003 and €21,500 in 2004.
In respect of payments to lawyers in 2003, an amount of €65,000 was paid to Arthur Cox for the provision of specialist legal research and assistance concerning a statutory regime for charities regulation and an amount of €15,800.57 was paid to Philip Lee Solicitors in respect of work carried out in respect of the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD.
In respect of payments to barristers in 2004, an amount of €15,000 was paid to Ms Oonagh Breen, BL, in respect of the external report on the public consultation about charities regulation and an amount of €6,500 was paid to Mr. Dermot Cahill, BL, in respect of the core information on Irish sectoral regulators — report for the Department.
