Seamus Brennan
Question:23 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether his Department will be paying his costs for legal actions arising from the Lowry controversy of 1995. [5024/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Legal Costs Payment.
Legal proceedings have issued against me in both my ministerial and my personal capacity.
There is a long-standing practice that, where a servant of the public, including a Minister, is sued as a result of acts by him in the exercise of his functions, the State will be prepared, in some cases, to take on the defence of the action.
The cost of any actions taken against me in my personal capacity will not be incurred by the Exchequer. However, where the circumstances of the case relate to the performance of my functions as Minister, I am entitled to seek recoupment of my reasonable costs.
I am not interested in the Minister's right to take legal action. To do so is the prerogative of all of us. I just want to establish that the taxpayer will not be asked to pick up the tab for any action the Minister feels he should take in his personal capacity.
I have already stated that any actions initiated by me in my personal capacity are my affair and will be dealt with by me in the normal course.
There have been media reports that a substantial offer has been made to the Minister by RTE. A sum of £200,000 was mentioned in one paper. Will the Minister put that rumour to rest and tell us it is not true?
I will not become involved in a discussion about a private matter. However, the newspaper reports referred to by the Deputy are extremely speculative and without foundation.
Given that the Minister has charge of semi-State companies and some legal responsibility for RTE, does he think it is a conflict of interest for him to, in effect, sue his own semi-State company?
We appear to be going somewhat beyond the bounds of the question.
The Deputy is being extremely mischievous and unfair. The reality is that anybody is entitled to take legal action when there is justification for it. In this instance I feel quite justified in initiating legal action. I have no intention of becoming involved in any further discussion on it. I ask the Deputy to respect that.