asked the Minister for Finance the total cost to the taxpayer of the proceedings involving Mr. Peter Robinson, MP at (a) Dundalk, County Louth and (b) Ballybay, County Monaghan.

The Director of Public Prosecutions was represented by the State Solicitor for the area who is on an annual salary paid from the Vote of the Attorney General. As this case was part of his normal duties, there were no extra legal costs incurred during these proceedings.