Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A Revised Estimate will not be presented before the supplementary budget which will take precedence. A Department of Finance circular on the implementation of the 8% reduction in professional fees has been issued to all bodies and programmes in the Department's Vote. The Department is reviewing contracts in place for professional services to revise fees downwards by 8% from 1 March 2009 for services to be rendered on or after this date. The 8% reduction will apply to all tribunal legal fees and my Department has been in touch with the Moriarty tribunal to that effect. That is the position.

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