Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he affords himself and the Garda Commissioner the luxury of legal aid on a monthly basis paid for by the taxpayer, while ignoring persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The position in respect of the tribunal in question is that there are a number of parties who have been given the right of legal representation. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner are two of these parties. It has been the practice, where legal teams are engaged on behalf of the State or its agencies, that they receive their fees as the work progresses. Private individuals who have been given the right of legal representation will presumably have entered into their own arrangements with their legal representatives in relation to the payment of legal costs incurred by them.

The position in relation to the awarding of costs is a matter for the tribunal under the provisions of the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2002. The Acts provide that a tribunal which, having regard to its findings and all other relevant matters, is of opinion that there are sufficient grounds to do so, can order the whole or part of the costs of representation of a person appearing before it to be paid.