Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2131. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount paid for external legal services in each of the years from 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35393/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a very diverse and complex brief. Its remit includes oversight of very complex policy areas and direct procurement of major services where protection of the State’s interest must be paramount. This situation necessarily requires my Department to procure specialist external professional advice in legal areas to enable it to discharge its responsibility to deliver quality services and protect the interests of the State and the taxpayer.
In procuring specialised legal services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The details of theses consultancies are outlined in the following table. The hourly rate for the legal contracts awarded by my Department is not available.
|
Name of Legal Service Provider |
Details of work undertaken |
Amount Paid |
Year paid |
|
Mason Hayes and Curren |
To provide legal services related to the procurement process to appoint a postcode management licence holder. |
€46,563 |
2012 |
|
John L O’Donnell |
Advice and legal representation before the Moriarty Tribunal |
€33,396 |
2012 |
|
Conleth Bradley |
Advice and legal representation before the Moriarty Tribunal |
€22,264 |
2012 |
|
TOTAL |
€102,223 |
||
|
Mason Hayes and Curren |
To provide legal advisory service and draft legislative amendments to facilitate the implementation of the National Postcode System. |
€33,418 |
2014 |
|
William Fry |
Professional Services rendered for Ireland Energy Efficiency Investments. |
€9,225 |
2014 |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
Professional fees - advice on construction and procurement matters |
€ 2,192 |
2014 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to National Broadband Plan (NBP) |
€12,286 |
2014 |
|
TOTAL |
€57,121 |
||
|
Hayes Solicitors |
Expenses in relation to the Persona/GSM Licence expenses. |
€3,628 |
2015 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€339,615 |
2015 |
|
Mason Hayes and Curran |
To provide legal advisory service and draft legislative amendments to facilitate the implementation of the National Postcode System. |
€13,116 |
2015 |
|
Arthur Gibney & Partners |
Advice re GPO Premises |
€1,045 |
2015 |
|
Aidan Hodson |
Work undertaken on Discovery of Fennelly Commission documents |
€1,440 |
2015 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€359,376 |
2015 |
|
TOTAL |
€718,220 |
||
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€12,956 |
2016 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advice for the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) Procurement Process |
€85,175 |
2016 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€456,506 |
2016 |
|
Hayes Solicitors |
Expenses in relation to the Persona/GSM Licence expenses. |
€1,876 |
2016 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Judicial Review |
€129,936 |
2016 |
|
TOTAL |
€686,449 |
||
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advisory Services in relation to NBP |
€3,003,411 |
2017 |
|
Eversheds |
To provide legal advisory service |
€30,737 |
2017 |
|
Mason Hayes & Curran |
Legal Advice for the ECAS Procurement Process |
€ 90,117 |
2017 |
|
Philip Lee Solicitors |
Professional fees - advice on construction and procurement matters |
€ 10,455 |
2017 |
|
Arthur Cox |
Legal advice in respect of the Corrib Gasfield project |
€26,319 |
2017 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,161,039 |
