642. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of legal cases currently ongoing against her Department including State agencies under her aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43260/15]

There are three cases currently before the Irish courts against the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht relating to the functions of my Department. Between 2011 and 2014 a further seven legal actions were completed against me, as the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in the courts. Four of these were ended by way of settlement, with legal costs totalling €197,600. The value of settlements or damages arising from these cases totalled €212,500.

Legal costs of €27,500 were incurred in relation to the remaining three cases, while no costs have yet arisen from settlements or damages in those cases.

It should be noted that I was represented by the Chief State Solicitor's Office in all ten cases. The figures given for legal costs relate only to costs for which my Department was liable in relation to other parties involved in the cases concerned.

Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are separate legal entities in their own right. The issues raised by the Deputy are part of the day-to-day operational responsibilities of the bodies in question and are matters for the bodies concerned.