Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which provision is being made, or has been made, for the costs associated with the Moriarty tribunal, in respect of which legal or other costs are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Moriarty Tribunal was established in 1997 and published its Final Report in March 2011. Following publication of that Report, the Tribunal’s back-up team was substantially reduced. A small legal and administrative staff remains in place to deal with applications for third-party costs and with the ongoing business of wind-down. The Tribunal is also subject to a number of legal proceedings for which it uses its own legal resources as much as possible.
Total expenditure by my Department from the establishment of the Moriarty Tribunal in 1997 to end-October 2015 was €53.3 million.
In 2014, my Department paid €3.7 million in respect of the Tribunal. This was made up of costs in respect of its legal team, administration, third-party costs and other (legal cost accountant fees and witness appearance costs). To end October in 2015, my Department has paid €2.5 million out of a budget allocation of €4.755m in respect of the Tribunal.
The Sole Member has indicated to my Department that the majority of applications for third-party costs have now been considered by him and that there remain only a very limited number of applications which are still being considered. He has made 125 orders to date.
The Tribunal determines only entitlement to such costs, not the costs themselves. When an order for costs is made, it is a matter for the claimant then to make a claim. Initially, claims were processed by the Chief State Solicitors Office, using professional legal cost accountants, but claims received since early 2013 are processed by the State Claims Agency. Claims are usually settled in negotiation or, failing agreement, by the Taxing Master.
So far, a total of 57 claims have been settled, all by negotiation. The claims amounted to €13.9m and the amount paid in settlements was €6.62m. Of this, €1.86m has been paid to end October this year.
