Tribunals of Inquiry in Ireland

These tribunals are not permanent tribunals - they are set up with powers to investigate specific matters.  They are usually chaired by judges or senior lawyers.

At the end of the investigation, the tribunal submits a report to the Oireachtas, which may contain recommendations.

Some of the tribunals that have been set up in recent years include:

• The Tribunal of Inquiry into the Beef Processing Industry, 1994. This tribunal investigated alleged irregularities in the way the beef industry in Ireland was being run. 
  
  

• The Tribunal of Inquiry into the Blood Transfusion Service Board, 1997.  This tribunal investigated the infection of large numbers of people in the 1970s and 1980s with contaminated blood products.
  
  

• The Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians (Dunne's Stores), 1997.  This tribunal investigated the payment of moneys to politicians.
  
  

• The The Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters & Payments "Flood Tribunal", now called the "Mahon Tribunal" since the retirement of His Honour Judge Flood. This tribunal is investigating payments to politicians in the context of planning decisions. 
  
  The Following Reports are now available to download from this Tribunal: -
  
• Initial Interim Report
  
• Second Interim Report
  
• Third Interim Report

• "The Moriarty Tribunal". This tribunal is inquiring into payments to politicians, including former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
  

• "The Lindsay Tribunal". This tribunal is inquiring into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of persons with haemophilia.
  

• "The Laffoy Commission". This tribunal is examining claims of child abuse within the State's industrial schools.
  
  

• "The Morris Tribunal".  It was created by Resolution passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann on 28 March 2002, and by Instrument entitled Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921(Establishment of Tribunal) Instrument 2002 made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 24 April 2002.  It was set up to investigate complaints concerning some Gardaí of the Donegal Garda Division.
  
  Here are links to reports:

  Explosives "Finds" in Donegal, 15th July 2004   Applications for costs Investigation into the Death of Richard Barron and The Extortion calls to Michael and Charlotte Peoples 1st June 2005

   

• "The Barr Tribunal".  On the Wednesday 2 July 2002 The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform appointed the Honourable Mr. Justice Robert Barr as the sole member of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Mr. John Carthy at Abbeylara, Co. Longford on 20 April, 2000.
  
  The resolution establishing the Tribunal, which was passed by the Dáíl and Seanad, stated that it should inquire into the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting and report to the Clerk of Dáil Éireann and to make such findings and recommendations as it sees fit in relation to these matters.
  
  The Tribunal must also, under the terms of the resolution, report to the Clerk of the Dáil on an interim basis not later than four months from the date of its establishment on the number of parties granted representation, progress to date and the likely duration of the Tribunal's work.
  
  It is expected that the Tribunal will be undertaken in an efficient, professional and impartial manner.
  

• Contact Details
  The Barr Tribunal, Jameson Building, Bow Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.    Telephone: 01 817 5290       Fax: 01817 5501
  Email: contact@barrtribunal.ie