Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am aware the tribunal is in the final phase of preparing its report. In response to inquiries from my Department in July the sole member indicated it was his intention to complete his work by the end of this year. I understand this timetable, although likely to be subject to a slight overrun, is more or less on schedule. As the Deputy said, the last public hearing was on 7 May and Mr. Justice Moriarty has commenced procedures for finalising his report. He has not ruled out further public hearings as a result of that process. He cannot predict. It could happen but one cannot be sure.

As I have said, in response to inquiries from my Department in July the sole member indicated it was his intention to complete his work by the end of this year. Assuming that the final procedural stages of the tribunal's work can be completed smoothly the role of the legal team is likely to diminish. As soon as submissions have been processed and considered the expenditure on counsel is likely to begin to reduce significantly.

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