Martin Brady
Question:105 Mr. M. Brady asked the Taoiseach if any additional amounts are being paid to the presiding judge of the Moriarty tribunal by way of expenses allowances or otherwise. [12642/99]
Written Answers. - Tribunals of Inquiry.
Martin Brady
Question:106 Mr. M. Brady asked the Taoiseach the source of the salary and other emoluments, if any, of the presiding judge in the Moriarty tribunal. [12643/99]
Martin Brady
Question:107 Mr. M. Brady asked the Taoiseach the cost to the date of the Moriarty tribunal; the amounts paid to date to each individual counsel for the tribunal; the direct and indirect administrative costs; all amounts paid by way of fees or otherwise to persons, other than tribunal counsel, agencies or institutions inside and outside the State by or on behalf of the tribunal; and the names of these persons, agencies or institutions. [12644/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.
The salary of Mr. Justice Moriarty is being paid, as is the case with all judicial salaries, allowances and pensions, from the Central Fund. There are no additional amounts being paid to Mr Justice Moriarty in respect of his role as presiding Judge of the tribunal.
The cost of the tribunal to my Department to date amounts to £2,416,967. Details are set out below. The main costs relate to legal fees of the counsel for the tribunal. All other payments relate to the direct administration of the tribunal office in Dublin Castle (types of expenditure detailed below). In relation to the indirect administration costs, the Office of Public Works provides the office accommodation for the tribunal in Dublin Castle. Other than legal fees and administration costs, no other payments have been made by my Department from funding for the tribunal. It would be inappropriate to provide full details of all payments made in respect of the tribunal as this information could compromise the workings of the tribunal.
Tribunal of Inquiry (Moriarty Tribunal) – Costs met by the Taoiseach's Department to date
|
1997 (Oct-Dec) |
Amount |
|
Administration |
£174,837 |
|
Legal costs |
£260,924 |
|
Total |
£435,761 |
1998 (full year)
Amount
Administration
£258,385
Legal costs
£1,069,418
Total
£1,327,803
1999 (Jan to date – 17 May 1999)
Amount
Administration
£143,153
Legal costs
£510,250
Total
£653,403
Overall total to date
£2,416,967
Note 1: Legal Fees:
The main legal costs represent fees to two Senior Counsel, one Junior Counsel and two Research Assistants, as follows:
|
John Coughlan, Senior Counsel |
£618,757 |
|
Jerimiah Healy, Senior Counsel |
£635,237 |
|
Jacqueline O'Brien, Junior Counsel |
£413,080 |
|
Marie Moriarty, Senior Assistant |
£129,280 |
|
Brian McGuckian, Junior Assistant |
£43,834 |
|
Total |
£1,840,188 |
The sanctioned rates for legal fees are outlined below:
Moriarty Tribunal
|
SeniorCounsel |
JuniorCounsel |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Brief fee |
25,000 |
16,500 |
|
Refresher fees (sitting days): |
||
|
first 30 days |
1,450 |
950 |
|
next 20 days |
1,400 |
950 |
|
thereafter |
1,350 |
900 |
|
Non-sitting days |
1,350 |
900 |
|
Part day per hour |
165 |
110 |
|
Research Counsel |
Senior |
Junior |
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Daily rate |
350 |
300 |
Note 2: Administration Costs
The administration costs represent the running costs of the Tribunal Office in Dublin Castle.
The total costs above include the following types of
expenditure:
Pay costs of administration staff
Hire of equipment for Tribunal meetings
Catering and office supplies
Training
Taxi and courier costs
Contract cleaning
Advertising services
Stenography service
Legal services (searches, etc)
Purchase of reference books, etc.
Office equipment and maintenance
Office furniture and fittings
Postal and telecommunications.