§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the costs to the taxpayer of the unsuccessful separate actions brought in the Northern Ireland Court by Mr Lawrence Rushe and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission seeking to prevent the screening of the BBC "Panorama" programme on 9 October on the Omagh bombing. [HL4272]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The cost of these actions is not yet known, nor is it settled what proportion of the costs will have to be paid out of public funds.
It is likely to be some time before the whole costs are known. Emergency legal aid was granted to Mr Rushe subject to him satisfying the statutory financial criteria. That assessment will be completed shortly. If the applicant is eligible I am advised that the taxed bill of costs from the applicant's solicitor will not be received until later next year. Payment will be made within 30 working days of receipt.
I am advised by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has not yet received an account of its counsel's costs although it is expected next month. In that action, the court has ruled that the issue of costs be adjourned for further consideration.
Court fees are designed to include the costs of the court, including judicial time, and the fees due in each action will be paid by whoever falls liable to pay the respective costs.