Vol. 421 No. 5
148 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in relation to the Beef Tribunal, he will outline the number of (a) Senior Counsel, (b) Junior Counsel and (c) Solicitors engaged by, or on behalf of, the State; if, in each case, he will further outline the fees payable to date and the steps taken to minimise them; and when he intends to bring a Supplementary Estimate to meet the costs of the tribunal before the Dáil.
My Department and all other relevant State Agencies are represented by two Senior and two Junior Counsel. The Tribunal is represented by two Senior and two Junior Counsel. The Chief State Solicitors Office is providing service for both the State and the Tribunal.
The total cost of fees to Counsel to date is £1.6 million. The rates have been fixed by the Attorney General's Office.
Actual costs arising in 1992 will be dealt with in a Supplementary Estimate later this year.
