Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013

Public bill · Government · Presented

The Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013 would create a clear legal framework for parliamentary inquiries into matters of public importance, including inquiries into legislation, certain officeholders and the conduct of Members. It would set rules for compelling witnesses and documents, protecting witnesses’ rights, avoiding bias, publishing reports, paying costs and protecting confidential communications, while allowing the High Court to resolve disputes. It would replace existing legislation and help the Oireachtas investigate issues such as the banking crisis without unfairly damaging private citizens’ reputations.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for the exercise by either House or both Houses of the Oireachtas (or by a Committee of either House or both Houses) of a power to conduct an inquiry into specified matters, to provide for matters relating to compellability, privilege and procedure in the Houses (and in Committees of either House or both Houses), and to provide for related matters

Last updated 20 November 2019