asked the Minister for the Environment if legal expenses will be paid by his Department, or Waterford County Council, to solicitors who represented local people at the oral hearing held by his Department in the Courthouse, Dungarvan, County Waterford on Tuesday 13 January 1981 in connection with Compulsory Purchase Order (Dungarvan No. 1) 1980.
Written Answers. - Dungarvan CPO Inquiry.
242.
Legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with public local inquiries held at my instance are not payable by my Department. The law provides that where it is considered reasonable that a contribution should be made towards costs and expenses reasonably incurred by any person in relation to such inquiry, I may certify that a specified contribution towards such costs be made by the relevant local authority.
In the case of compulsory purchase orders, the issue of a certificate is normally considered only where an objection has been sustained. Any applications for recoupment of costs and expenses in this case will be considered when the compulsory purchase order is determined.