The Moriarty Tribunal has cost almost £2.5 million to date, with just over £1.8 million of that spent on legal fees to counsel for the tribunal.

Costs to date for the tribunal, which began in October 1997, amount to £2,416,967, according to figures released by the Taoiseach. Of that, £1,840,188 went on fees to five lawyers and research assistants.

This worked out at a daily average of between £1,450 and £1,350 for senior counsel and between £950 and £900 for junior counsel. Figures released last week by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, showed the Flood Tribunal has cost an average of £6,222 a day.

With fees of £635,237, Mr Jeremiah Healy, senior counsel for the Moriarty Tribunal, is the highestpaid barrister, according to Mr Ahern's figures, outlined in written replies to a Fianna Fail backbencher, Mr Martin Brady (Dublin, North East).

Mr John Coughlan SC, comes second with £635,237, followed by £413,080 for junior counsel Ms Jacqueline O'Brien. A senior research assistant, Ms Marie Moriarty, has received £129,280 while Mr Brian McGuckian, a junior assistant, is listed as receiving £43,834.

Mr Ahern said the salary of Mr Justice Moriarty was being paid from the Government's central fund. He added: "There are no additional amounts being paid to Mr Justice Moriarty in respect of his role as presiding judge."