Ivor Callely
Ceist:73 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach the cost to date of the Moriarty tribunal; the daily cost; and the number of days the tribunal has sat. [12302/99]
Written Answers. - Tribunal Costs.
The cost to date of the Moriarty tribunal is set out in the following schedule. The tribunal has had 16 public sitting days taking evidence, but much of the research and investigative work takes place in private. The daily cost of the tribunal varies, depending on whether it is a public sitting day – which would involve significant administration and other expenses – or whether it is a non-sitting day. It is not possible to estimate the number of further sittings before the tribunal concludes.
Schedule
Tribunal of Inquiry (Moriarty Tribunal) – Costs met by the Department of the Taoiseach Department to date
|
Amount |
|
|
1997 (Oct – Dec) |
£ |
|
Administration |
174,837 |
|
Legal costs |
260,924 |
|
Total |
435,761 |
|
1998 (full year) |
£ |
|
Administration |
258,385 |
|
Legal costs |
1,069,418 |
|
Total |
1,327,803 |
|
1999 (Jan to – 4 May 1999) |
£ |
|
Administration |
133,072 |
|
Legal costs |
510,250 |
|
Total |
643,322 |
|
Overall total to date: |
2,406,886 |
Note 1: Legal Fees:
The main legal costs represent fees to two Senior Counsel, one Junior Counsel and two Research Assistants.
The agreed rates are outlined below:
Moriarty tribunal
|
Senior Counsel |
Junior Counsel |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
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 cost includes the following types of expenditure: pay costs of administration staff; meetings; catering and office supplies; taxi and courier costs; advertising services; legal services (searches, etc); office equipment and maintenance; hire of equipment for tribunal; training; contract cleaning; stenography service; purchase of reference books, etc.; office furniture and fittings; postal and telecommunications.