Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2014
75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total legal costs to his Department for the past ten years in relation to the work of the special investigation unit; if he will confirm the settlements that were made arising from the work of the SIU; the number of court cases pending arising from investigations by the SIU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/14]
View answerThe legal costs associated with legal proceedings initiated by my Department as a result of the investigations carried out by the Unit are, in general, borne by the CSSO and are a matter for that body. However, since 2004, my Department has paid €126,057 in respect of legal proceedings arising from investigations by the Special Investigation Unit. Such costs have to be seen in the context of the need to preserve the reputation of Irish agriculture and food that employs over 170,000 people and which exported €10 billion worth of food and drinks products last year.
There are 17 cases pending before the courts. In addition, a further 3 cases are the subject of Judicial Review or ongoing litigation. Settlements were reached in a small number of cases. This information is being collated and will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
