Ministers to discuss reducing tribunal lawyer fees

The Cabinet is set to discuss moves to reduce the fees paid to lawyers at the Mahon Tribunal when it holds its weekly meeting later today.

The Government agreed three years ago that fees at both the Mahon and Moriarty Tribunals would be reduced in 2007.

However, a final decision on Moriarty fees was deferred last month and ministers are expected to make a similar deferral in relation to the Mahon situation today.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche will instead bring the Cabinet up to date on the latest correspondence between him and Judge Alan Mahon since the controversy sparked by Tánaiste Michael McDowell's claim that the total costs of his inquiry could reach €1bn.