Barristers who claimed €5.5 million for representing haemophiliacs infected with HIV and hepatitis C from blood transfusions before the Lindsay tribunal have had their fees cut to €1.5 million.
Reducing the fees, the Taxing Master of the High Court, Mr James Flynn, warned that tribunals of inquiry risked becoming "a source of discontentment" if they were allowed to become all-powerful for an endless period.
Solicitors Malcolmson Law had claimed €17 million for work done on behalf of victims during the 29-month Lindsay tribunal, including €5.5 million to pay barristers' fees. It was awarded €12 million.
Calling for new methods of inquiry, Mr Flynn said there must be a better system as he produced his review of the bills which had been challenged by the Department of Health and Children.
Sources close to the Irish Haemophilia Society (IHS) said it was likely to challenge the decision before the High Court.
The Taxing Master also approved two smaller payments to a senior counsel and a junior counsel who were drafted on to the legal team late on.
Master Flynn said he was worried about fees sought for non-sitting days. He saw no evidence of what work was done by counsel, how much time was spent and whether or not such work was germane to the case.
In a 400-page ruling, he said: "Tribunals must be seen to be justified and in order to meet this essential criterion they must be efficient, effective and speedy."
Barristers and solicitors should have to tender for tribunal work, he suggested, while the creation of an intermediate-rank counsel could cut the use of more expensive senior counsel.
