SEVEN BARRISTERS were paid more than €200,000 last year for carrying out work on behalf of the State, new figures have shown.

Figures published by Enda Kenny show that 24 different barristers were paid over €100,000 for their work representing the State at various court levels on behalf of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.

That office forms part of the Attorney General’s office, and appoints legal figures to work on cases in which a Government department or any other State body is a party.

Emily Farrell, who lists constitutional law among her specialist areas, was the highest earner taking in €408,868 for her work. Farrell had also been one of the top earners for 2010, taking €323,888, and has taken six-figure sums for her work for each of the last five years.

David Conlan Smyth, who specialises in European law, was the next-highest earner, being paid €317,069 for his work in 2011, slightly less than the €372,510 earned in 2010 and €288,981 in 2009.

Siobhan Stack, who practices in judicial reviews and administrative law, earned €296,079 last year. Anthony Moore, who engages in general practice, earned €286,683; Sara Moorhead, who practices in commercial and family law, earned €272,730.

A total of 332 counsel received an aggregate total of €10,256,843 in fees from the office last year, as well as receiving €10,877 to cover travel expenses.

51 counsel were sent to represent Ireland at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, while others were sent to legal conferences in London, Frankfurt and Brussels.

The 332 counsel include several figures active in politics. Labour TD Alex White, a barrister by profession, received €4,193 for work performed in 2011. He had previously received €3,906 in 2007.

His former Seanad colleague Ivana Bacik did not feature in the 2011 earnings, but has featured in previous years, earning €13,389 in 2010, €32,307 in 2008, and €25,203 in 2007.

Likewise, Labour TD and former junior minister Willie Penrose was paid €6,541 for his work in 2010, and had received €38,521 for his work in 2009.

Rosemary Healy, sister of Kerry South TD Michael Healy-Rae and daughter of former TD Jackie, earned €24,033 for her work in 2011.

Political commentator and broadcaster Noel Whelan, a previous election candidate for Fianna Fáil, received €17,191 in 2011 – a significant decrease from previous years, when he had earned up to €71,724.

Oisín Quinn, a Dublin city councillor and nephew of education minister Ruairí, earned €5,561.