Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
174. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names of the barristers appointed to assist the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, together with details of the scale of fees to be applied in respect of work conducted by barristers to assist this commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29435/15]
View answerSection 8 of the 2004 Commissions of Investigation Act provides that a Commission, with the approval of the specified Minister, may appoint persons with relevant qualifications and experience to advise and assist the Commission in relation to any matter within its terms of reference.
The Commission has selected a panel of Junior and Documentary Counsel and it proposes to assign specific tasks to members of the panel as the need arises. The scale of fees approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for legal advisors to assist the Commission is as follows: Senior Counsel - €788.27 per diem; Junior Counsel - €394.13 per diem; Documentary Junior - €200.00 per diem. In addition, Ms Ita Mangan, Barrister, has been appointed as Director of the Commission to oversee the legal and administrative functions of the Commission. This post is remunerated at a rate of €550 per diem.
