State told to pay political parties' '€1m-plus' costs

The planning tribunal has ruled that the State should pay the costs incurred by three political parties in assisting its investigations.

The final bills, which will be determined by the Taxing Master in the High Court, could be over €1 million.

Judge Alan Mahon said yesterday that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party had all co-operated with the tribunal in its inquiries leading to its second and third interim reports.

These dealt with payments to former minister Ray Burke and former assistant Dublin city and county manager George Redmond.

Judge Mahon said it was equitable that the parties should recover their appropriate and reasonable costs. Fianna Fáil had sought €606,000, while Fine Gael had applied for €366,000. The Green Party had sought €125,000.

Judge Mahon said all three had been granted legal representation to cover their own interests as a political party before the tribunal.

This representation did not extend to cover the interests of their individual elected representatives.

"In ruling upon the applications of the political parties for their costs, I believe that it is important to note that the second and third interim reports of the tribunal were not concerned with any allegation of wrong-doing directed towards the political parties," he said.

Judge Mahon also ruled yesterday that accountant Joe O'Toole should be awarded costs incurred in assisting the tribunal. He had sought €208,000.

The tribunal also awarded costs to former Fianna Fáil councillor Jim Geraghty. There was no indication given of the amount he had sought.