The bill for the various financial and planning inquiries currently in progress has reached £4 million, according to new Government figures. Most of this sum is accounted for by the Moriarty and Flood tribunals, both of which are still in their relatively early stages. This figure does not include costs which may be awarded to parties who have been granted legal representation at the tribunals.

Further costs are likely to arise from High Court and Supreme Court actions which have arisen from matters before both tribunals. No provision has yet been made for these.

Meanwhile, a fresh row threatens to cause further delays in the Flood Planning Tribunal. Lawyers for some of the parties named in allegations made by the tribunal's main witness, Mr James Gogarty, are resisting attempts by the tribunal lawyers to seek discovery of private documents, including bank account details.

The tribunal is trying to reissue orders of discovery after the original orders were quashed by a Supreme Court decision during the summer. This action was taken by the building company Bovale Developments, its director, Mr Michael Bailey, and his wife Teresa, after the tribunal sought details of their bank accounts.

Lawyers for Bovale and the Baileys want the tribunal to hear submissions before it makes new orders for discovery on the accounts.

Up to the end of October, the planning tribunal chaired by Mr Justice Flood had incurred costs of £1,874,000. This comprises legal fees for this year of £951,000 and administration fees, which were £312,000 in 1997 and £612,000 so far this year.

Further payment claims are being processed, amounting to £112,000 for legal fees and £31,000 for administration costs, according to the Department of the Environment.

Up to now, almost 20 individuals, companies and political parties have been granted limited legal representation at the tribunal. Mr Justice Flood is not compelled to grant all these parties their costs.

Senior counsel on both tribunals are paid £1,450 for sitting days, and £1,350 for non-sitting days. This rate drops slightly after the first 50 days. The planning tribunal employs four senior counsel and the Moriarty Payments to Politicians Tribunal two full-time senior counsel. The planning tribunal also employs two junior counsel and a research counsel. The Moriarty Tribunal employs one junior counsel, who is paid £900 per day, and two research counsel, who earn between £300 and £350 per day.

The Moriarty Tribunal, which was established in September of last year, has cost £1,462,000 in legal fees and administration costs. The investigation into the affairs of Bula Resources has cost £264,000, while the bill for various other investigations ordered by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, amounts to £200,000 so far.