The McCracken Report On Payments To Politicians and the outcome of the appeal to the Cayman Islands authorities for information on the secret Ansbacher Accounts are eagerly awaited. Equally anxiously expected is a decision on how the legal costs in the tribunal will be awarded - and by none more, surely, than Charles J. Haughey. The former Taoiseach could be facing three enormous bills: from the Revenue from Dunnes Stores for the return of the £1.3 million; and from his legal team. The Revenue is an independent body and will act as it deems right but estimates are that Mr Haughey could be presented with a demand for more than £1 million. Meanwhile, Margaret Heffernan and her other brother Frank Dunne may yet decide they want Ben's donation back. And - while the decision on who pays for the various legal teams in the Tribunal rests with Mr Justice McCracken - counsel for the tribunal, Denis McCullough, feels that since Mr Haughey misled the tribunal, necessitating the investigative trip to the Cayman Islands, it is possible he may have to pay his own. Others' costs could be awarded against him too, so the bill is impossible to estimate.
Other individuals awaiting the costs decision include Michael Lowry, Ben Dunne and various bankers. They may have to wait. First comes the Report itself, due mid to late August and then the decision from the Cayman Islands. It could take more than a year if the Cayman case goes all the way to the Privy Council in London, the final court of appeal in the matter.