The inquiry currently being carried out into the events of Bloody Sunday is expected to cost at least £100 million sterling (€160 million), it was revealed today.
The figure was condemned as "appalling" by Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Mr Crispin Blunt, who said the investigation had led to an "unacceptable" diversion of public money away from health, education and the police.
In a written parliamentary answer, Mr Blunt was told by Northern Ireland minister Mr Des Browne that the Saville Inquiry - ordered by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998 - had cost the Northern Ireland Office £52 million up to the start of this month.
Mr Blunt said: "This is a staggering sum of money.
"Whatever the merits of disinterring this 30-year-old issue, the results in terms of cancelled hospital operations, teacher shortages and police shortages is wholly unacceptable.
"The Prime Minister is personally responsible for this appalling waste of money."
Mr Browne said that the predicted £100 million cost of the inquiry could increase if hearings have to be held outside Derry to take the evidence of troops involved in the 1972 events.
A court last month overturned the inquiry tribunal's ruling that up to 400 potential military witnesses must attend the city's Guildhall in person to give their testimony.
The tribunal is expected to report late in 2003 or early 2004.
PA