Burke wants taxpayer to pay 10.5m tribunal bill

DISGRACED former Fianna Fáil minister Ray Burke wants the taxpayer to pay his €10.5 million legal bill from the Flood Tribunal - despite the fact he obstructed the work of the inquiry.

The €21.5m legal bills being claimed by witnesses and others who participated in the inquiry will bring the cost of the planning tribunal to almost €60m.

But the allegations of planning corruption continue to come into the inquiry’s office in Dublin Castle, meaning the final cost is incalculable.