Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said third-party costs arising from the Moriarty tribunal have amounted to €4.77 million.

Speaking at the Select Sub-Committee on the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Kenny also said €2 million had been set aside for the Fennelly Inquiry, the commission of investigation established to examine the taping of telephone calls at Garda stations.

He was presenting the revised 2015 estimates for his department to the committee on Wednesday.

Third-party costs are paid to cover the legal, travel and accommodation costs of witnesses who provide testimony to the tribunal. No adverse findings can be made against these witnesses, rather they are brought in to provide context and background evidence.

Among those who have received third-party costs are Danish telecommunications consultant Michael Andersen and the estate of former taoiseach Charles Haughey.

“The Moriarty tribunal is currently dealing with applications for third-party costs. The sole member has indicated to my department that the majority of applications for costs have been considered by him and that he hopes to have this process finalised in the near future,” Mr Kenny said.

“To end of 2014, a total of 49 bills of costs amounting to €10.76 million have been settled for a total of €4.77 million.”

Settlements in excess of €20,000 are published on the department’s website on a quartly basis, Mr Kenny added.

The tribunal into certain payments to politicians ran from 1997 until 2011. It lasted much longer than was expected at the time of its establishment.

Its terms of reference included sections dealing with Mr Haughey and Tipperary North TD and former minister for communications Michael Lowry.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny said: “The department’s vote also includes a provision of €2 million for the commission of investigation chaired by Justice Fennelly.”

Figures released by the department at the end of last year showed that the overall cost of the Moriarty tribunal had topped €50 million.