Bill published to restore inquiry powers to committees

Posted on January 13, 2010 at 05:07 PM

Burton, Gilmore and Rabbitte
Joan Burton TD, the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD and Pat Rabbitte TD, at the press conference to announce a Bill which seeks to restore inquiry powers to Dáil Committees.

Speaking at a press conference today which announced the publication of a Bill which seeks to restore inquiry powers to Dáil Committees, the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD said the capacity to conduct inquiries into matters of public concern is a normal part of powers of parliaments in most democratic countries and it is important that the Oireachtas should be properly equipped with similar powers.

The capacity of the Dáil and Seanad through committees to conduct inquiries was thrown into doubt as a result of the 2002 decision of the Supreme Court in the Abbeylara case.

Eamon said: "The publication of the Bill is particularly timely given the mounting calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the origins of the banking crisis. The enactment of the legislation, along with the lines set out in our Bill, will be required if we are to have a DIRT-style inquiry into the banking crisis." (You can read Eamon's statement in our media centre).

Labour Spokesperson on Justice, Pat Rabbitte TD said: "I believe that a parliamentary power of inquiry is necessary and intrinsic to the proper functioning of a representative, responsible, parliamentary democracy. And I believe it is clear that our State is the poorer - and has functioned more poorly - in the absence of a system where those who exercise authority in our State can be called to account for their performance in office. An Oireachtas stripped of power suits government. It does not suit the people." (Pat's statement can also be found in our media centre.)

You can download the wording of the Bill here, its principal features here and a memo about the Bill here.

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