Departmental Expenditure

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Questions (608)

Anne Ferris

Question:

628 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details for the years 2006 to 2011, inclusive, in respect of his Department, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility, of the arrangements entered into by the aforesaid for the obtaining of advice from a senior or junior counsel and-or a firm of solicitors; the subject matter for which advice was sought; the names of the barristers’ and solicitors’ firms concerned and the fees paid; the nature of the work concerned; if in each case the matter was advertised for competitive tender and, if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30976/11]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

The following table sets out details of the arrangements entered into by my Department since my appointment as Minister in March 2011 in relation to the obtaining of advice from external senior/junior counsel or solicitors. In respect of information prior to March 2011, I am having that information collated and it will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

With respect to the bodies under the aegis of this Department, this is a matter for the bodies themselves. I have, however, forwarded the Deputy's question to the bodies concerned for their response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office.

Year	Name of Senior/Junior/solicitors	Payment Made	Reason for Procurement/Nature of work	Was service procured through competitive tendering (Yes or No)	Reason (if service was not procured by competitive tender)
2011	Mr. Remy Farrell Senior Counsel	€7,562.50	Review of Legislative Act	Yes
2011	Conor Feeney B.L. (Junior Counsel)	€1,000	Drafting regulations in connection with the transposition of EU Directive	Yes
2011	Gallenalliance Solicitors	Fee of €3,500 agreed but not yet paid	Legal advice	Yes