asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the names of the senior and junior counsel retained by the State since June, 1954, and the amount of the fees paid in each case, together with particulars of any other payments under any other heading from State or semi-State sources, during the same period.

Subject to the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement showing the amounts of professional fees paid by the State since June, 1954, to senior and junior counsel employed by the State or assigned by the court in certain cases. I have no responsibility for, nor information in regard to, the employment of counsel by boards or companies operating under State auspices.

Following is the statement:—