262 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount paid by his Department in legal fees for each of the years from 2000 to date in 2010; the amount paid in legal fees by each of the agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/10]

The identification of records prior to January 2007 cannot be facilitated without undue commitment of staff resources and administrative cost. However, if the Deputy has a question in relation to a specific item I will make appropriate enquiries. The table contains details of legal costs incurred by my Department from January 2007 to date.

Any such expenditure by the bodies under the aegis of the Department is a day to day operational matter for those bodies.