Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Through the Chair, Deputy, that is a very sensible question. I am now thinking out loud. I said there would probably be two parts to the inquiry. First, we inquire into what happened. Since one cannot make adjudicatory decisions on the conduct of an individual, that will be an "inquire, record, report"-type inquiry. I believe there is a possibility - but this depends on the view of the Oireachtas - of a legislative follow-on to inform what further legislation is required on foot of the proceedings and the evidence that was adduced before the committee. It is a matter for the Oireachtas to determine the nature, scope and sections that will apply to any inquiry. It is my view that a banking inquiry will be well encompassed in both. I believe such an inquiry would be partially under the "inquire, record, report" model and partially under the legislative reform model. That would be the anchor of the constitutionality of the inquiry.