Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has developed an “exit strategy” to phase out its dependence on the services of law firm Arthur Cox after the expected end of its contract next month.

Children’s Minister James Reilly announced a review of the government agency’s links with Arthur Cox after it emerged the firm was representing the tobacco industry in a civil suit against the State.

The agency paid €10.23 million in legal fees to Arthur Cox between 1 April–30 November 2015.

The review has since been completed by Dr Fergal Lynch, secretary general of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The Department has declined to rule out a renewal of the contract until legal advice is obtained from Attorney General Máire Whelan.

However, a Tusla spokesperson told The Irish Times that an “exit strategy” was actively being discussed as part of a wider “programme of reform and modernisation”.

This would include a plan to have Tusla’s dependency on Arthur Cox’s services gradually “phased out” in conjunction with the Department.

Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson for children, commented: “I find it extraordinary that the State would spend over €10 million of taxpayers’ money with Arthur Cox Solicitors in an eight-month period, particularly against the background of the revelations last Spring when it was confirmed that this firm is representing the tobacco industry when it is suing the State.”