Status of 12 state bodies in doubt

THE legal status of up to a dozen state bodies established by the Department of Environment is in doubt because of the same legal flaws that put question marks over 19 State bodies in the health area.

The Department of the Environment last night confirmed that it was considering advice from the Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC in relation to a Local Government Act dating from 1971.

The bodies set up under this act, whose legal status is now in doubt, include the Dublin Transportation Office; Fire Services Council; the Irish Water Safety Association.