Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
391. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by his Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2069/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving his Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of his Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2123/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 394 together.
The Office of the Chief State Solicitor represents the Minister before the WRC and the Courts in relation to employment cases instituted against the Minister. The CSSO is responsible for the payment of Counsel if engaged to represent the Minister. Whether under order or agreement, third party costs are paid by the Minister only following approval of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in conjunction with the legal costs unit of the State Claims Agency.
In default of agreement regarding the level of third-party costs, the matter is determined by the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicator, subject to the right of appeal to the High Court.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency and as such the Deputy may wish to contact those agencies directly. Contact details are set out at the following link for ease of reference.
