Written answers

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Committees of Inquiry

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has decided the format that the new banking inquiry will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41259/12]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware I strongly support the objective of undertaking an effective and legally robust parliamentary banking inquiry. In that context, I wish to advise the Deputy that a detailed Scheme of a Bill providing a comprehensive statutory framework for Oireachtas Inquiries are currently being finalised by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. I plan to seek Government approval to publish the General Scheme and for the drafting of a Bill by the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel shortly. Following publication of the General Scheme it is expected that work can proceed quickly on drafting a Bill for publication and enactment by the Oireachtas.

In terms of the format of a banking inquiry, the legislation will provide for the two main inquiry options available that would be consistent with the parameters laid down in the Supreme Court’s judgements in the Abbeylara case. These were set out in my letter to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee on 28 June 2012, a copy of which is published on the Oireachtas website. The legal advice received from the Office of the Attorney General has confirmed that a mixed inquiry combining elements of both approaches is also legally feasible.

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