Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will request the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse to publish the negotiated settled costs of approximately €13 million in 2008; the average amount per individual case; the amounts paid collectively to solicitors and barristers; the names of those legal practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22327/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was established under statute to investigate child abuse in institutions in the State, to enable persons who have suffered such abuse to give evidence to committees of the Commission and to prepare and publish a report of findings and recommendations considered appropriate for the alleviation of the effects of past child abuse and for the protection of children. The Commission is independent in the performance of its functions in accordance with the terms of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act.

Consequently, it is entirely a matter for the Commission to publish the details in respect of the legal fees it pays to legal firms and it is not open to me to intervene in such matters.