2^nd July 2003

PRESS RELEASE

CAUTIOUS WELCOME BY GREEN PARTY TO COMMISSIONS OF INVESTIGATION BILL

The Green Party has given a guarded welcome to the Commissions of Investigation Bill 2003.

However it has pointed out that the Bill's publication a day before the Dáil's summer recess means that it will not be passed until the autumn.

"The Bill was long overdue and we welcome its publication, however we are concerned at several of its provisions," stated the Green Party's Justice Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD, "Evidence will generally be received in private, and we believe that this will impede the public's access to information. Coming in a week where the Government has decided to charge us for freedom of information, we are understandably concerned at the motives behind this.

"We also note that the approval of the Minister for Finance is required prior to the Government establishing a commission. Previous Inquires were set up by the approval of Dáil Éireann, and this new procedure is a cause for concern as a Minister could frustrate the wishes of the Oireachtas.

"We welcome the proposal for time limits but fear that this could well lead to the business of a commission being rushed through without sufficient examination of witnesses.

ENDS