Jim Higgins
Ceist:380 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the taxpayer of each of the court actions initiated by persons (details supplied) arising out of the tapping of telephones. [22706/98]
Written Answers. - Court Proceedings.
Jim Higgins
Ceist:381 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it was necessary to allow court proceedings taken by a person (details supplied) to proceed to settlement in court. [22707/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.
Proceedings brought by the first person named by the Deputy against Ireland and the Attorney General were settled on 28 October by agreement. My predecessor, following receipt of legal advice, had previously agreed in principle to settle this action. The terms of the settlement included a contribution by the State of £12,000 towards the plaintiff's legal costs. As the State's costs have not been finalised in these proceedings, it is not possible to indicate the total cost to the Exchequer at this time. In 1996, the High Court awarded the first person named his legal costs in respect of an unsuccessful action to be taken by him joined as a third party to proceedings brought against Ireland and the Attorney General by the second person named by the Deputy. These costs amounted to £2,268.75.
With regard to proceedings brought by the second person, the total amount paid by the State to him was £134,948.30. I have asked the office of the Chief State Solicitor to indicate the total of the State's costs in these proceedings and will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.