Tribunals of Inquiry

The main difference between a Parliamentary Inquiry (non statutory) and a Tribunal of Inquiry is that non statutory inquiries are not vested with the powers, privileges and rights of the High Court; Tribunals of Inquiry are. Tribunals are established by resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas to enquire into matters of urgent public importance. It is not a function of Tribunals to administer justice, their work is solely inquisitorial. Tribunals are obliged to report their findings to the Oireachtas. They have the power to enforce the attendance and examination of witnesses and the production of documents relevant to the work in hand. Tribunals can consist of one or more people, a lay person, or non lawyer may be the Sole member of a Tribunal. Tribunals can sit with or without Assessors (experts in the subject concerning the Tribunal). Assessors are not Tribunal members. Sittings are usually public but can, at the Tribunals discretion, be held privately. Legislation relating to Tribunals includes the following;

TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1998

TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ACT,1998

TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1997

TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1979

No. 25/1936: TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) ACT, 1921,ADAPTATION ORDER, 1936.

No. 48/1930: TRIBUNALS OF INQUIRY (EVIDENCE) ACT, 1921, ADAPTATION ORDER, 1930.