The High Court has been asked by the Minister for Finance to halve fees of £3.5 million sanctioned for solicitors who acted for Goodman International and Mr Larry Goodman at the beef tribunal.
The Goodman organisation originally lodged a bill of over £9 million for legal fees and expenses, which was reduced to £7.68 million by the Taxing Master of the High Court, Mr James Flynn. The Goodman group had received interim payments of about £6 million pending a final decision on the total payment.
To date the State has paid £14.316 million in costs for the beef tribunal. A further £10 million was set aside last year.
The Goodman organisation is also claiming interest on the bill of costs. That matter has been adjourned until the Minister's challenge is finished.
Yesterday Mr Frank Clarke SC, for the Minister, told Ms Justice Laffoy they were seeking cuts in the areas of solicitors' fees and counsel's fees and "disbursements".
The hearing continues next Tuesday.