The costs of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry are being met from the Vote of my Department. The total expenditure of date is £13.37 million of which £5.85 million was paid in 1996 in respect of legal costs awarded following hearings by the Taxing Master which can be seen in the following table. These interm payments were made subject to appeals being lodged and the strongest possible case is being made by the State to ensure that the fees paid are kept to the absolute minimum.
A total of 77 costs orders were made by Mr. Justice Hamilton granting costs. The procedure in relation to these orders is that those claiming costs, or cost accountants, acting on their behalf submit bills to a Taxing Master of the High Court. Of the 77 orders made, only 20 claims have been lodged to date.