198 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent on legal fees by him in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/10]

The details requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department, including fees paid to legal professionals for advice and research, are reflected in the table.

199 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on legal fees by him in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45622/10]

The main requirement for legal services in the Department is in the context of litigation, usually in the form of judicial review and personal injury proceedings. The Chief State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in cases that it manages on behalf of the Department. External legal costs incurred by the State Claims Agency arising from the defence of any claims managed by the Agency for the Department are refunded to the Agency by the Department. In addition the Department may pay plaintiff's legal costs as part of awards/settlements. The amount spent on legal fees is as follows: