Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Taoiseach 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 in relation to 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. [19769/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's responsibility relates only to the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters (Moriarty Tribunal). This was established in September 1997 on foot of resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad. The cost of its legal team to the Department up to 30 April 2009 was €28.952m.

The legal team currently consists of seven people - three Senior Counsel (two at a daily rate of €2300 and one at €1840), two Junior Counsel (both at €1012), one Solicitor (at €920) and one legal researcher (at €418.60). All participate in the Tribunal's work and none is employed on a retainer.