Tony Killeen
Ceist:320 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the cost of senior counsel for the Loran C planning appeal incurred before and during the hearing; and by whom counsel were engaged. [12651/96]
Written Answers. - Loran C Planning Appeal.
Tony Killeen
Ceist:321 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the cost of solicitors incurred in preparatory work and in attending the hearings in respect of the Loran C appeal; and whether these solicitors were engaged by the Commissioners of Irish Lights or his Department. [12652/96]
Tony Killeen
Ceist:322 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the cost to date of work undertaken by consulting engineers on the Loran C radio navigation project near Loop Head, County Clare; the names of the firms involved; and whether these costs relate to the planning application and appeal. [12653/96]
Tony Killeen
Ceist:323 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Marine the number of expert witnesses that were employed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and his Department in relation to the Loran C planning appeal; and the costs associated with the national and non-national experts involved. [12654/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 320, 321, 322 and 323 together. Senior Counsel and the solicitors for the Loran C planning appeal were engaged by the Commissioners of Irish Lights who are acting on an agency basis on behalf of the Department of the Marine in respect of the Loran C project. Senior Counsels' fees in respect of the planning appeal amounted to £69,990.03 (including VAT), which comprised a brief fee of £36,300, refresher fees of £30,492 and £3,198.03 in respect of consultations and preparatory work. Solicitors' fees for the planning appeal totalled £41,722.63 (including VAT). I understand, however, that these legal fees were submitted to the Taxing Master who allowed senior counsel and the solicitors their full fees. While the Chief State Solicitor's Office has accepted the Taxing Master's decision in respect of the solicitors' fees, senior counsels' fees are the subject of a Supreme Court appeal.
Ove Arup Ireland are the consulting engineers for the Loran C project and to date have received payment of £201,428, of which £53,629 related to the planning application and appeal. The remainder of these costs arose in respect of land purchase, site work, contract fees and the procurement of a fire certificate.
During the planning appeal the Commissioners of Irish Lights called nine expert witnesses at a cost of £39,513, of which £5,198 was in respect of one non-national.