Tribunal’s €42m bill likely to keep on rising

THE estimated cost of the Moriarty Tribunal is so far running at over €42 million with tens of millions of euro of that paid to its own lawyers.

However, current estimates suggest that the final cost to the state could be tens of millions of euro more when third party costs and general witness expenses are finally met. The Comptroller and Auditor General has suggested that, based on the Beef Tribunal, third-party costs could be an additional €64m. However, it has been impossible to put a definite estimate on the costs, which could go beyond this €106m.

The Department of the Taoiseach, the one overseeing the inquiry, yesterday said no final estimates were available on costs. So far the Tribunal had cost over €42m, a spokeswomen said.