When Government decides to establish a tribunal, inquiry or other public committee of investigation under the aegis of my Department, I consult the Attorney General in relation to the selection of suitably qualified persons who are available to act as chairpersons or members of the legal teams attached to such inquiries. The terms and conditions of appointment of these persons are subject to the approval of the Minister for Finance.
The amounts paid to date since 1997 to the inquiries under my aegis are set as follows. The post-mortem inquiry established by Government decision of 4 April 2000 and chaired by Ms Anne Dunne SC has incurred costs of €6.7 million to May 2003. The tribunal of inquiry into the infection with HIV and hepatitis C of persons with haemophilia, chaired by Judge Alison Lindsay, has cost €13 million to May 2003. This is only in respect of the tribunal's own costs, the costs of the State's legal team and the costs of one party. The Taxing Master has recently concluded hearing a claim for some €17 million submitted by legal advisers for the Irish Haemophilia Society and has reserved his judgment. Around 26 other bills of costs from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, the National Haemophilia Centre, The Irish Medicines Board, hospitals, health boards and individual consultants, have yet to be processed. The final cost is expected to be in the region of €40 million. The proposed inquiry into the abuse of children by priests in the Diocese of Ferns was an investigation was conducted by Mr. George Bermingham, SC, to ascertain the best way of holding a full inquiry. The cost of this investigation was €424,738. The inquiry into the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Ferns was established on foot of the recommendations of the investigation conducted by George Bermingham. It was formally announced in March and no costs have been incurred to date. Details on the names of the legal teams for each inquiry and the amount paid to individuals to date are being processed and will be forwarded to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
Question No. 365 answered with Question No. 333.
