John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Finance the costs paid from Exchequer funds to 31 December 2004 in relation to all commissions, inquiries and tribunals commenced since 1995 by his Department; the title of the commission, inquiry and tribunal; the estimated date of completion of same; the estimated final cost of each commission, inquiry and tribunal. [18762/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The only expenditure from the Vote of the Department of Finance that was spent on commissions, inquiries and tribunals in the years in question was spent on the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service and the Commission on Public Service Pensions. The Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service was established in April 2002 to examine, evaluate and make recommendations on relevant financial systems, practices and procedures in the health services. Some €135,000 was spent on the commission from the Vote of the Department of Finance. That figure does not include the cost of getting staff from the Department to service it. The commission published its report on 18 June 2003.

The Commission on Public Service Pensions was established in February 1996 to examine and report on the occupational pension arrangements of public servants. Some €500,000 was spent on the commission from the Vote of the Department of Finance. That figure does not include the cost of getting staff from the Department to service it. The commission published its report on 31 January 2001. The costs of judicial salaries arising from other inquiries and tribunals are paid in the normal way from the Central Fund. Other costs are charged from the Votes of the relevant Departments.