Around €70m spent on Morris Tribunal

The Morris Tribunal is set to cost the Irish taxpayer €70m.

The tribunal began its inquiry into complaints against gardaí in Co Donegal in April 2002 and concluded this year.

The Secretaries General of the Departments of the Taoiseach, Environment and Justice are being questioned by members of the Public Accounts Committee on the cost of the Mahon, Morris and Moriarty tribunals.

It is estimated the total cost of these tribunals will be around €370m.

Secretary General of the Department of Justice Sean Aylward has detailed the breakdown of the costs of the Morris tribunal.

“The cost of the tribunal from April 2002 to the end of April 2009 was almost €50m," he said.

“This is made up of administrative costs amounting to €17.1m, legal fees for the tribunal totalling €10.48m and third-party legal fees paid to date amounting to €22m.

“The final cost of the tribunal to my department and the taxpayer is expected to be in the region of €70m.”