Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Tribunals of Inquiry.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

220 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he has the authority to appoint legal teams or representatives to tribunals, inquiries or other public committees of investigation under the aegis of his Department; the criteria used in the selection and appointment of these legal teams or representatives; the amount paid, or payable to date, which has been discharged, or is due to be discharged, from public funds to appointed legal teams or representatives since 1997; the names of legal teams or representatives appointed since 1997; the moneys paid or payable to these persons since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16909/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Counsel who are appointed to a tribunal or non-statutory inquiry to represent the tribunal or non-statutory inquiry itself are usually selected and appointed by the chairman of the tribunal or non statutory inquiry in consultation with the Attorney General. Counsel who advise or represent parliamentary committee inquiries are usually selected and appointed by the parliamentary committee itself. There have been no tribunals, inquiries or other public committees of investigation set up under the aegis of my Department since 1997 and consequently no costs have been incurred.