Shatter’s legal firm received second highest ‘guardian’ fees

The legal firm established by former minister for justice Alan Shatter has received over €660,000 in fees from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency (CFA) this year.

According to data released by Tusla in response to a Freedom of Information request, the amount paid out to Dublin firm Gallagher Shatter Solicitors in the year to the end of December 17th totalled €669,423 (including VAT).

The firm received the second highest amount in legal fees this year from the CFA towards representing guardian ad litems (Gals), who provide an independent voice for children in family law proceedings.

Mr Shatter joined the firm in 1976 and is widely regarded as one of the authorities on family law in Ireland.

Earlier this year, the HSE confirmed that Gallagher Shatter Solicitors received €392,646 in fees for acting for Gals in 2013.

The highest amount paid out this year by Tusla to solicitors representing Gals was to Pol Ó Murchu & Co Solicitors, which received €1.14 million in fees.

The figures show the spending on solicitors representing Gals totals €5.5 million in 2014 to date. This compares with spending of €4.85 million in 2013, a jump of 13.5 per cent in one year.