asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of occasions in the past 12 months on which counsel has been engaged to conduct prosecutions for failure to take out a television or radio licence; why counsel was needed for simple prosecutions; and the total amount paid in fees to counsel for such prosecutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television and Radio Licences.
18.
Counsel was engaged on 36 occasions in the past 12 months for this work. The arrangement of employing counsel is the most economical and efficient way of having prosecutions conducted which cannot, because of pressure of work, be dealt with by my Department's solicitors, by State Solicitors or by Solicitors attached to the Chief State Solicitor's Office. The total amount paid in fees to counsel for this work over the past 12 months is £237 6s 0d.
19.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of staff at present dealing with the detection of unlicensed television and radio sets; the cost of such staff; and if they are all permanent officers of his Department; if any temporary staff were employed; and, if so, the qualifications required.
During the special campaign, up to 215 officers have been employed full-time on detection of unlicensed television and radio sets and overtime to the extent of up to 4,300 hours per week has been worked by these and other officers. The direct staff costs attributable to the campaign will be of the order of £20,000.
All the staff employed are permanent officers of the Department.