FG calls for laws to compel attendance at Dáil committees

[White Horse]

Fine Gael is calling on the Government to change the law immediately on compellability of witnesses before parliamentary committees.

It follows a decision by former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick not to attend today's sitting of the Oireachtas Committee on Regulatory Affairs.

The Irish people are fed up of the lack of respect being shown by banks, auditors, and FF cronies to attending Oireachtas committees.

I welcome the call by FG to compel witnesses to attend.

FG joins calls for laws to compel attendance at Dáil Committees | BreakingNews.ie

[Libero]

Fine Gael is calling on the Government to change the law immediately on compellability of witnesses before parliamentary committees.

It follows a decision by former Anglo Irish Bank Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick not to attend today's sitting of the Oireachtas Committee on Regulatory Affairs.

The Irish people are fed up of the lack of respect being shown by banks, auditors, and FF cronies to attending Oireachtas committees.

I welcome the call by FG to compel witnesses to attend.

FG joins calls for laws to compel attendance at Dáil Committees | BreakingNews.ie

Is there somewhere we can read about this in more detail? I don't see anything on the FG website.

Compelling attendance is useless unless witnesses are also compelled to answer questions.

And our Constitution (and the European Charter of Human Rights) pose some big obstacles to that proposition.

With respect to FG, the time for examining this issue was years ago, when it was clear that the prospect of attending a Tribunal of Inquiry did not send fear into the hearts of wrongdoers.

[InReality]

Does anyone know how other countries investigate things like this ?

AFAIK people can be compelled to attend hearings in the US Senate AND to answer questions.

In Ireland the taosieach said :

"The Supreme Court has held that Oireachtas committees cannot use their compellability powers to make adverse findings of fact or opinion against a non-member of the Oireachtas"

"the Government recognized that the terms of reference of committees cannot be expanded to allow for adverse findings to be made against individuals."

"certain evidence is exempt from scrutiny, including anything that could prejudice the investigation, apprehension or prosecution of offences."


America seems a pretty litigious society to me - does anyone how have they sorted out these issues ?

[Thac0man]

Its a joke that such powers are already not in place.