Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date the Barr tribunal was established; the intended date of completion; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37346/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Barr Tribunal was established in July 2002 to inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of John Carthy at Abbeylara, County Longford on 20 April 2000. The Tribunal reported in July 2006, thereby completing its work. To date the cost of the Tribunal to the Exchequer totals €20,074,004.96.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date the Smithwick tribunal was established; the intended date of completion; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37347/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Smithwick Tribunal was established in May 2005. The Tribunal is in an investigative phase at present and, although it is not possible to indicate a completion date, I have no doubt that the Tribunal is fully cognisant of the need to fulfil its mandate as expeditiously as possible. The cost of the Tribunal (to end-August 2008) is €4,339,475.03.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date the Morris tribunal was established; the intended date of completion; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37348/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The resolution providing for the establishment of the Morris Tribunal was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 28 March 2002 and the Instrument establishing it was signed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 24 April 2002. Its two final reports were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 7 October 2008. The Tribunal is currently in the process of dealing with applications for costs in respect of those final reports. However it has already begun reducing its staffing, equipment and accommodation and the destruction of a large amount of documentation it has gathered during its existence. I expect all of these ancillary but necessary activities to cease shortly after Christmas. To date, the cost of the Tribunal amounts to €50 million approximately. However the eventual overall cost of the Tribunal is expected to be in the region of €70 million.