Further hearings likely for Moriarty

THE long-running Moriarty Tribunal, which concluded its work in May, may now have to hold further public hearings in 2009.

The public inquiry was established in 1997 to probe payments to politicians such as former taoiseach Charlie Haughey and former government minister Michael Lowry.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil that tribunal chairman, Justice Michael Moriarty was compiling his report but more public hearings may be scheduled in coming weeks.

He added: “It is not certain that public hearings are complete. Depending on circumstances it may entail the recall of certain witnesses for additional cross-examination.”

The Dáil heard the total cost from 1997 to date of the inquiry was €33.7 million and that €2.9m was spent in 2008 alone.

“It is not possible at this stage to estimate the final cost,” said Mr Cowen.