Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the independence of the proposed inquiry and the terms of reference, the Minister in a reply to a previous question said that his Department and the Office of the Attorney General will be involved in it. Is the Minister happy that public confidence in the independence of the process is being satisfied by that arrangement? Could the task of drawing up the terms of reference be given to this committee? Does he think public confidence in the process and the inquiry would be considerably enhanced if that process was pursued? When the report is finalised, will it be laid before and discussed in the House? Will the chair of the inquiry be allowed to extend the terms of reference or will he or she be in a position to go back to the Minister's office to seek to have the terms of reference extended if he or she deems it necessary?