Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated cost of the inquiry into sex abuse in the Dublin dioceses; and if all of the costs will be borne by the taxpayer. [34916/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following a Government decision on 8 November, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and as the specified Minister in respect of this commission, I am arranging for the laying before the Dáil and Seanad of a draft of the proposed Government order establishing the commission seeking the approval of the two Houses.

Following their approval, the Government will by order establish the commission, following which I will arrange for the preparation of an estimate of the costs, including legal costs, to be incurred by the commission in conducting the investigation and preparing its reports, to be published in Iris Oifigiúil. Sections 23 and 24 of the Act provide for the recovery by witnesses of legal costs necessarily incurred by them and certain other expenses and the issuing of guidelines concerning the payment of such legal costs.