Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Attorney General on behalf of the Government has had discussions with the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments as to its intention to sit or act in divisions, as provided for by the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 2004; his present understanding of the merits and practicality of the option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11301/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Attorney General had discussions with the tribunal in question concerning the possible sub-division of the tribunal into a number of divisions, as provided for in the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence)(Amendment) Act 2004, in order to expedite its work. The tribunal confirmed to the Attorney General that it intends to utilise this power to sit in divisions when it is appropriate and practical to do so. The tribunal also stated that, since 2002, it has been engaged in public hearings relating to several related or interlinked modules and that it considered it appropriate to conclude these prior to considering sub-division. However, several modules are subject to judicial review proceedings.

The operation of the tribunal in divisions was provided for under the above legislation as a means of allowing the tribunal more rapidly to complete its work, with consequential savings in costs.