Departmental Legal Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Questions (571)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

571. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department, or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department, use solicitors' firms (details supplied); the amount paid to these solicitors, each year, from 2011 to 2014, by his Department or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department; the date until which his Department or State bodies or agencies under the aegis of his Department are contracted to use these solicitors' firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Information sought in relation to amounts paid by my Department to the firms of solicitors in question is set out in the table. The services concerned have been provided, as required, primarily in connection with my Department’s role in relation to foreshore licensing.

Firm	2011	2012	2013	2014	Total
Arthur Cox	€ 97,510	€ 61,307	€ 71,855	€ 39,010	€ 269,682
McCann Fitzgerald	€ -	€ -	€ -	€ -	€ -
Total	€ 97,510	€ 61,307	€ 71,855	€ 39,010	€ 269,682

The table does not include legal fees associated with the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments. Legal fees paid by agencies or bodies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the agencies/bodies concerned.