Tony Killeen
Question:159 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if successful claimants of equality arrears payments will be reimbursed their full legal costs. [18106/95]
Written Answers. - Equal Treatment Arrears.
Under the terms of the court orders applying in the various legal proceedings taken in relation to the payment of equal treatment arrears, the State will meet the legal costs of the plaintiffs to be taxed in default of agreement. The State will meet the legal fees as adjudicated by the Taxing Master under the normal procedure whereby a solicitor's bill is examined by the Taxing Master who may either allow or reduce the amount involved.
The question as to whether the married women concerned may be charged additional fees, over and above those to be met by the State, will be determined by the nature of whatever agreement they may have entered into with their solicitors. It is open to those whose solicitors are claiming costs from them over and above those paid by the State to seek to have them examined by the Taxing Master also.