Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the functions of the proposed Legal Costs Unit under the aegis of the State Claims Agency and the National Treasury Management Agency; when the unit will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47111/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government approved the establishment of a State Legal Costs Unit within the State Claims Agency on 27 March 2012. The State Legal Costs Unit will initially deal with third-party costs arising from the Moriarty and Mahon Tribunals with its remit expanding to the Smithwick Tribunal third-party costs, after that Tribunal reports. The use of a single agency will enhance the State’s knowledge in the area of legal costs and will reinforce the measures being taken to reform the legal profession and reduce legal costs. It is expected that the Unit will begin its work on an administrative basis later in 2012.