Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
187. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent during 2016 by his Department, and by each named public body under his Department’s remit, on legal services, by reference to each firm or individual engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8045/17]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question, the following tables outline the amount spent on legal services by my Department and the bodies under its aegis during 2016. The reply in relation to the Office of Public Works will follow within the next ten days in accordance with Standing Order 42A.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Firm/individual engaged |
Amount |
|
ByrneWallace Solicitors |
€207,901 |
|
Eversheds |
€394,954 |
Institute of Public Administration (IPA)
|
Firm/individual engaged |
Amount |
|
Purdey Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€450 |
Office of the Ombudsman
|
Firm/individual engaged |
Amount |
|
Matheson |
€3,956 |
|
Brian Foley |
€8,825 |
|
Cyril O'Neill |
€7,470 |
|
Derry Hand |
€984 |
|
Emily Egan |
€8,289 |
|
Fintan Valentine |
€2,214 |
|
Francis Kiernan |
€4,797 |
|
Mason Hayes Curran |
€24,496 |
|
Nuala Butler |
€7,392 |
|
Paul Anthony McDermott |
€6,155 |
|
Peter Fitzpatrick and Company |
€1,722 |
|
Philip Lee and Company |
€89,178 |
|
Shane Murphy |
€615 |
|
A&L Goodbody |
€139,428 |
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
SEUPB is a North South Implementation Body established under the Good Friday Agreement. Its administration costs are funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance Northern Ireland. The SEUPB is headquartered in Belfast, and the costs were incurred in sterling.
|
Firm/individual engaged |
Amount |
|
EDG Legal |
£3,300* |
*Please note that the above figure represent 100% of the costs, which includes contributions from Ireland and Northern Ireland on a 50:50 basis.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A.
Office of Public Works - Legal Services 2016
|
Supplier |
Amount |
|
A&L Goodbody |
€40,666.59 |
|
Arthur Cox |
€9,937.85 |
|
Beauchamps |
€12,177.00 |
|
Brady & Co Solicitors |
€20,295.00 |
|
David J O'Meara |
€4,059.00 |
|
Downing Courtney & Larkin |
€1,230.00 |
|
McCann Fitzgerald |
€57,789.89 |
|
State Claims Agency |
€233,997.00 |
|
Total |
€380,152.33 |
The Office of Public Works uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor (CSSO) for legal advice. All procurement of external counsel by the CSSO, on behalf of the OPW, is handled by that Office, upon the nomination of the Attorney General.
The costs associated with the provision of advice to the OPW by the Office of the Attorney General and the office of the Chief State Solicitor are borne by their respective Votes.
For areas which the CSSO does not have the necessary capacity and/or specific expertise, the OPW entered into a service level agreement with the CSSO, which negotiates rates with a number of legal firms for the provision of legal advice.
