Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would have to check the law in that area, but I am fairly certain that transcripts of proceedings at a commission of investigation are privileged and cannot be released. They were released to GSOC following a court order and they were obviously released to the tribunal, but I am almost certain that it would not be lawful to release the transcripts of proceedngs at a commission of investigation. It would go against the whole thing. I will have to check, but it is my understanding transcripts of proceedings at a commission of investigation which by their very nature are held in private cannot be released. That is the difference between such commissions and public inquiries or tribunals which are carried out in public. As I said, it is my intention to ask the Secretary General of my Department, as head of the Civil Service, to carry out the inquiry.

If there are substantive suggestions from Deputies as to an alternative person or body that could carry that out, I am all ears.

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