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Departmental Expenditure.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004

Thursday, 7 October 2004

Ceisteanna (97, 98)

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

97 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Defence the amount of money paid out by his Department in public relations fees; the name of the firm that was paid the highest amount; the amount paid to a specific firm (details supplied); the amount of money paid out by the Department in other consultancy fees; the name of the firm or individual paid the highest amount for the most recent 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23865/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Some €2,296 was expended by my Department on public relations fees in the last 12 months. The highest amount paid was €1,734 to Windmill Lane Studios for the production of promotional material for the Defence Forces. Some €73,326 was paid by my Department in other consultancy fees in the same period. The highest amount paid was €45,000 to Magnus Opus for telecommunication services.

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

98 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of money paid out by his Department in legal fees; the details of the firms paid the greatest amount of fees; the total amount of money paid out in legal settlements; the number of such settlements; the total number of claims against his Department, for the most recent 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23879/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

In the 12 months ending 30 September, 2004 my Department has spent €2.78 million in legal costs.

Plaintiffs' settlements amounted to €6.84 million in the process of settling 629 cases. In addition, there were 97 cases withdrawn or dismissed.

There are 2,127 litigation claims outstanding against my Department of which 240 have been registered in the past 12 months.

Details of the top ten solicitors paid by costs over the period in question are contained in the following tabular statement.

Top 10 Solicitors by costs paid from 1/10/03 — 30/9/04

Solicitor

Costs

No. of Cases

Maxwell Mooney & Co.

636,188.09

128

Byrne Carolan Cunningham

529,702.82

82

Doody

299,175.16

46

Nolan Farrell & Goff

249,216.30

1

Patrick V. Boland & Son

198,983.21

23

Murphy English & Co.

165,941.21

8

Maguire McClafferty

147,467.62

1

H. C. Browne & Co.

101,094.62

1

Patrick J. Groarke & Son

87,276.45

1

Eamon O’Brien

76,218.35

19

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