Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of tribunals that are sitting; the date that each was established; the cost to the Exchequer of legal representation of each tribunal to date; the number of lawyers that are employed by the State on tribunal work; if there is a daily rate paid to these lawyers; the rate of same; if some lawyers are employed on a retainer and not actually participating in the tribunal; if they are paid a daily rate; if so, the rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was established by order of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to inquire into and report on various planning matters, set out in Resolutions passed by Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann on 7 and 8 October, 1997 respectively.

The legal costs of the Tribunal as at 12 May 2009 are €59,921,925 broken down as follows:

Cost of the Tribunal's legal team: €46,955,332;

Costs of external Counsel engaged in respect of litigation involving the Tribunal: €2,578,146;

Legal costs paid to third parties: €10,388,446.

There are currently 1 Senior Counsel, 5 Junior Counsel (2 employed as Legal Researchers) and 3 solicitors on the Tribunal's legal team. They are paid a daily rate, as follows:

Senior Counsel: €2,070;

Junior Counsel: €1,380;

Legal Researchers: €552;

Solicitors: €920.

There are no Counsel employed on a retainer.

The fees reflect the recent Government decision to reduce fees payable to professionals by 8%.