Govt withdraws funding for tribunals

A decision has been made by the Government to withdraw funding for the Moriarty and Mahon tribunals once they reach the end of their public hearings.

The Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan has written to his Cabinet colleagues asking them to inform all tribunal chairmen that no more money will be provided for tribunal legal teams.

There is considerable frustration within Government that the tribunals are continuing to drag on at enormous cost to the taxpayer at a time when departments are having to endure cutbacks.

Minister for Defence Willie O' Dea said there won't be funding made available for tribunals next year because they should have their work completed.