Mary Harney
Question:99 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice if she will name the members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; the frequency with which they meet; and the fees that are paid in respect of their work.
Written Answers. - Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal.
The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and six ordinary members, all of whom must be either practicing barristers or solicitors. The current members of the Tribunal are: Ms. Bernadette Cronin, Barrister-at-law (Chairperson); Mr. Paul Burns, Barrister-at-law; Mr. Brian Lenihan, Barrister-at-law; Ms. Patricia Moran, Barrister-at-law; Mr. Joseph Hogan. Barrister-at-law; Mr. David Martin, Solicitor; Ms. Marie Boland, Solicitor.
The modus operandi of the Tribunal is that, in the normal course, case papers relating to each application are in the first instance referred to an individual member for a decision on the claim. Any applicant who is dissatisfied with the decision made by one member may appeal that decision and have the claim heard before three members of the Tribunal, other than the member who made the initial decision. Three member sittings of the Tribunal are, on average, held about three times per month. Each sitting may hear up to four appeals. In addition, occasional meetings of the Tribunal are convened to deal with general and policy issues arising.
In the matter of fees paid, the position is that the members of the Tribunal act on a part-time basis and are paid fees for work done as follows:—
—A fee of £65 per member per day in respect of full meetings of the Tribunal or three member hearings.
—A flat fee of £17 per case in respect of cases decided by single members.