Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
276 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of tribunals of inquiry conducted by his Department; the title of each; the cost of each to date in 2010; the expected date of conclusion of each; and the projected final costs. [2729/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was established by order of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to inquire into and report on various planning matters, set out in resolutions passed by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann on 7 and 8 October, 1997 respectively.
The Tribunal costs in 2010 (up to 19 January 2010) are approximately €76,000, while the overall cost of the Tribunal since its inception is of the order of €98 million.
I am advised by the Tribunal that it hopes to complete its report by the end of May 2010, with publication shortly thereafter; this is dependent on there being no unforeseen delays arising due to, inter alia, further litigation or the need to hear further evidence. The award of third-party costs arising from 2003 onwards will be dealt with by the Chairman after the publication of the final report and, according to the Tribunal, will likely take some 6 months.
It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the final cost of the Tribunal. The Comptroller and Auditor General, in his Special Report 63 : Tribunals of Inquiry of December 2008, indicated a total cost of the Tribunal of between €171m and €194m, including third party costs of between €84m and €104m. The Comptroller and Auditor General did note, however, that third party costs could be much higher if a final pattern resembling previous tribunals were to emerge. A copy of the report is available on the Comptroller and Auditor General's website at www.audgen.gov.ie
