Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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321. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which provision is being made, or has been made, for the costs associated with the Smithwick and Morris Tribunals, in respect of which legal or other costs are still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41436/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2015 provision of €1.1m was made for costs associated with the Morris Tribunal and provision of €5.4m was made for the Smithwick Tribunal.

Costs incurred up to the 31 December 2014 are approximately €66.6m for the Morris Tribunal and €13.4m for the Smithwick Tribunal.

There are outstanding costs in respect of both the Morris and the Smithwick Tribunals, but these relate to third party fees. The Department has little control over when these bills are presented for payment. Such bills are scrutinised on behalf of the State by professional Legal Cost Accountants and the maximum possible savings are achieved by way of negotiation. If a negotiated settlement is not possible, the bill of costs is sent forward to be taxed by the Taxing Master.