I propose to take Questions Nos. 1339 to 1351, inclusive, together.
I am satisfied that expenditure on legal fees is a proper and appropriate use of taxpayers' money by Sport Ireland in situations where it considers that legal advice is required. It is a matter for Sport Ireland to satisfy itself in relation to the procurement of such advice and the rates payable. I am not aware of any formal proposals to limit expenditure on legal fees in any of the areas mentioned by Sport Ireland in its response to the Deputy's question of 21 March 2017.
Sport Ireland is a public body for the purposes of the FOI Acts and decisions in relation to FOI requests made to Sport Ireland are entirely a matter for Sport Ireland, in accordance with the provisions of the FOI Acts. My Department has no role in such decisions and does not direct Sport Ireland or dictate any strategy as to how it processes FOI requests.
Sport Ireland is the defendant in the legal case mentioned by the Deputy. I am not a party to the case. As the case is currently before the Courts, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment on the case itself or on any action taken in relation to it. While all related material would be subject to legal privilege, I can inform the Deputy that there has been engagement between the Department and the Office of the Attorney General and also with Sport Ireland and its legal advisers in relation to the case.
While I have been kept informed by Sport Ireland in relation to legal fees payable by it to its legal advisers in the case, matters relating to the procurement of the legal advisers, including quotations and rates payable are a matter for Sport Ireland. I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the procurement of legal advisers, the rates payable and an itemised account of costs to date. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.