Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 1

Written Answers. - Beef Tribunal Fees.

Ivor Callely

Question:

119 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give a breakdown of all fees being sought and all moneys paid for legal fees and senior counsel in connection with the beef tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

All claims received to date for legal fees including claims by senior counsel in connection with the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry have been processed.

The total payment to date made by my Department in respect of legal fees including senior counsel is £4,535,246. This includes an amount of £1,030,375 witholding tax, leaving a net figure of £3,504,871. The amounts paid to date cover the fees of counsel for the Tribunal and the State.

It is not possible at this stage to say what the final cost of professional legal fees will be as this will dependinter alia on whether costs are awarded to other parties and the level of such costs. I am not aware of the extent of the claims for such costs.