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02/07/2009
Mahon, Moriarty And Morris Tribunals Cost €370m
It has been revealed today that the final cost of the controversial Mahon, Moriarty and Morris tribunals could be up to €370m.
The huge bill, which will be paid out of the public purse, emerged at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee this morning.
The figures revealed that the prolonged Mahon tribunal, that looked into a litany of suspected planning and payment frauds and underhanded deals, could cost up to €194million.
The Mahon Tribunal was launched in 1997 to investigate payments to ex-Government minister Ray Burke, who was convicted and jailed over charges of political corruption. The tribunal has since looked into the affairs of George Redmond and, most famously, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Today's meeting also revealed that the chairpersons of each of the three tribunals had sole responsibility for choosing the barristers to work on behalf of the State, who would each go on to earn fees of more than €2,000 a day, which led to accusations of "cronyism" from Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael McGrath.
Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach Dermot McCarthy said legislation currently going through the Dáil will mean a new tendering process will be in place for future tribunals.
The Committee also heard two senior counsels for the Moriarty Tribunal were paid €8.5m for their work.
(DW/BMcC)
The huge bill, which will be paid out of the public purse, emerged at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee this morning.
The figures revealed that the prolonged Mahon tribunal, that looked into a litany of suspected planning and payment frauds and underhanded deals, could cost up to €194million.
The Mahon Tribunal was launched in 1997 to investigate payments to ex-Government minister Ray Burke, who was convicted and jailed over charges of political corruption. The tribunal has since looked into the affairs of George Redmond and, most famously, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Today's meeting also revealed that the chairpersons of each of the three tribunals had sole responsibility for choosing the barristers to work on behalf of the State, who would each go on to earn fees of more than €2,000 a day, which led to accusations of "cronyism" from Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael McGrath.
Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach Dermot McCarthy said legislation currently going through the Dáil will mean a new tendering process will be in place for future tribunals.
The Committee also heard two senior counsels for the Moriarty Tribunal were paid €8.5m for their work.
(DW/BMcC)
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