Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013
129. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of legal action against his Department for the the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54457/13]
View answerDepending on the subject-matter, litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Attorney General's Office, the Chief State Solicitor's Office or the State Claims Agency which engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary, including for personal injuries claims and other matters. The costs of any external solicitors or counsel engaged for such matters are not charged to my Department's Votes. Missions abroad may have to engage local legal advisers from time to time and, in such cases, Missions are under instruction to procure such services by competitive process in accordance with Guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The total amount of settlement awards in euro, paid by my Department for 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Settlement awards |
165,751 |
103,000 |
15,607 |
