Vol. 458 No. 4
23 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total legal costs and the breakdown as it applied to each individual participating in the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Industry; the total cost to the State in respect of each participant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16545/95]
The only legal fees paid so far in respect of the beef tribunal are the fees that have been paid to counsel representing the State and the tribunal. The total cost of these fees was £4,617,878.54, inclusive of withholding tax.
The legal fees remaining to be paid are the subject of costs orders made by the sole member of the tribunal. These costs are being examined by the Taxing Master who began his hearing on 11 October 1995. The hearing was adjourned by the Taxing Master until 27 November 1995 so that an alternative more suitable venue for the hearing could be found.
These legal fees will not be paid until the Taxing Master has finished his examination of the bills presented. Following the hearing it remains open to the State to raise objections to the amounts awarded, if necesary by way of appeals to the High Court and Supreme Court.
