Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.

The costs my Department incurred in respect of the Moriarty tribunal during May 2005 amounted to €511,930. The day to day costs for the tribunal provided for in my Department's Estimate for 2005 amounts to €4 million. However, provision of an additional €6.5 million has also been made to cover costs such as report publication and some element of award of legal costs in the event that the tribunal completes its work this year. The overall estimate for 2005 is therefore €10.552 million.

The total costs my Department incurred in respect of this tribunal since 1997 to 31 May 2005 is €20,131,318. This includes fees paid to counsel for the tribunal and administration costs incurred to date since its establishment. The total payment made to the legal team was €15,102,168 up to 31 May 2005.

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