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Local inquiries.
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83.—(1) The Minister may cause such local inquiries to be held as he may consider necessary or desirable for the purposes of any of the powers and duties for the time being conferred or imposed on him.
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(2) Where the Minister causes a local inquiry to be held under this section or under any other Act, the costs incurred in relation to such inquiry shall be certified by the Minister and such certificate shall direct the payment of such costs to the Minister—
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(a) where not more than one local authority is concerned in such inquiry, by such local authority,
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(b) where two or more local authorities are concerned in such inquiry, by (according as may be specified in such certificate) all or one or more of such local authorities.
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(3) A certificate under this section which directs the payment of the costs of a local inquiry by two or more local authorities shall specify the proportion of such costs which shall be paid by each of such local authorities.
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(4) Where a local authority fails to pay a sum directed to be paid by a certificate under this section, such sum may be recovered by the Minister as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction or may be deducted in whole or in part from any moneys payable by any Minister of State for any purpose whatsoever to such local authority.
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(5) The power to deduct under the immediately preceding sub-section of this section from moneys payable to a local authority shall be subject to and without prejudice to the claims of the guarantee fund under the Land Purchase Acts.
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(6) For the purposes of this section, the costs incurred in relation to a local inquiry shall include a reasonable charge for the services of any inspector or officer of the Minister engaged in such inquiry and also the necessary expenses of witnesses.
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