Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that the Smithwick tribunal is progressing satisfactorily; the amount the tribunal has cost to date; when its proceedings are due to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7711/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Smithwick Tribunal was established in May 2005. The cost of the Tribunal (to end-January 2009) is €4,869,390. The Tribunal is in an investigative phase at present. I met with the Chairman of the Tribunal last July and during that meeting I conveyed the Government's view that the legal costs of tribunals should be strictly managed. I also informed him that the Minister for Finance had requested that, in light of public expenditure constraints, tribunals and inquiries would conclude their business as early as possible. I have no doubt that the Tribunal's Chairman is fully cognisant of the position and that its mandate should be fulfilled as expeditiously as possible.