New legislation to keep a tight rein on costly tribunals was outlined tonight with the Government being given the power to pull the plug on long-running inquiries.
With €220 million spent so far on a series of compelling investigations, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the laws, due to be passed in 2006, would save the taxpayer huge sums.
Under the bill tribunals will be stopped or suspended following moves by the Government, while limits will be imposed on legal bills.
"I believe that this new approach will bring significant benefits in terms of cost savings to the state," the minister said.
"The bill responds to concerns expressed in many quarters as to the length of time being taken by some inquiries to conclude their investigations and to produce a report.
"While the complexity of some of the issues being investigated and the degree of co-operation of certain parties before the tribunals has undoubtedly contributed to the lengthy timescales involved, the length of the investigation naturally impacts on the costs incurred by the tribunals, costs ultimately borne by the taxpayer."
Costs of more than €220 million have been run up by tribunals, both completed and sitting, with almost €160 million of that in legal bills alone.