asked the Minister for the Environment if the cost of employing technical and legal expertise by local farmers who have objected to the water rights order for the Gort regional water scheme, County Galway, will be met by his Department, as this expertise was necessary in order for them to represent their case at the forthcoming public inquiry.
Written Answers. - Gort (Galway) Regional Water Scheme.
596.
Under the provisions of section 91 of the Local Government Act, 1946, as amended by section 64 of the Local Government Act, 1955, I may certify that a contribution should be made towards costs reasonably incurred by a person in relation to a local inquiry and direct payment by the local authority should I consider it reasonable to do so. I cannot give any indication in advance as to whether such a contribution would be appropriate in any particular case.
After the local inquiry into the water rights proposal referred to by the Deputy has taken place, I will consider any application for a contribution towards costs incurred in relation to the inquiry.