Beef tribunal legal costs still under appeal

The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, is one of three parties whose legal costs for the beef tribunal are still under appeal, some 10 years after that inquiry ended.

Mr Rabbitte, who was a Workers' Party TD when he gave evidence in the early 1990s, was awarded £1.36 million (€1.72 million) along with then party colleague Mr Tomás Mac Giolla.

So far, £755,000 of this amount has been paid, but the remaining £606,000 is being appealed by the State. Mr Rabbitte's case gives an indication of the sizeable fees paid to tribunal lawyers.

The beef tribunal has cost more than £19.5 million (€26.377 million) so far, according to the Department of Agriculture. However, this may rise as outstanding bills are settled. Legal bills account for more than €20 million of the total.

Three of the five largest costs awards are under appeal. Besides Mr Rabbitte and Mr Mac Giolla, are those of beef baron Mr Larry Goodman and his company.