asked the Minister for the Environment when it is proposed to appoint a law agent to ensure the continued efficient workings of Kerry County Council; the amount paid by Kerry County Council to a law firm (details supplied) for each of the last four years; if he will comment on the apparent delay in making the permanent appointment of an executive solicitor from June of 1983 to October of 1984; if he will make a statement with regard to the practice of Kerry County Council of farming out legal work to private practices; and if he is satisfied with all aspects of that procedure.
Written Answers. - Kerry County Council.
50.
I understand that the Local Appointments Commission invited applications for the post of law agent, Kerry County Council, on 29 October. The County Council had sent the statutory request to the commission on 3 October following the death of the law agent on 28 July.
With regard to the delay in appointing an executive solicitor occurring between June 1983 and October 1984 I understand that the county council sent the statutory request to the Local Appointments Commission in July 1983 and received a recommendation from the commission on 18 August 1984. The job was offered to the recommended candidate the following day and that candidate took up the post on 1 October 1984. I also understand that Kerry County Council engaged the services of a private legal practice during the serious illness of the law agent and pending the appointment of an executive solicitor and again when the executive solicitor was on maternity leave.
I am informed by the county council that the following amounts have been paid to the law firm in question:
|
Year |
Amount £ |
|
1983 |
Nil |
|
1984 |
Nil |
|
1985 |
15,569 |
|
1986 |
36,773 |