In 2011, by a relatively narrow margin of 53% to 47%, the Irish people rejected the so-called “Oireachtas Enquiries Referendum”. This was a measure that would have granted sweeping powers to Dáil committees to hold sweeping enquiries into “any matter of general public importance”. It would have given our TDs and Senators powers to “investigate any individual” and to “make findings in relation to their conduct”.
The fairness of such enquiries was to be made a matter solely for the discretion of TDs and Senators, with article four of the constitutional amendment saying that “It shall be for the House or Houses concerned to determine, with due regard to the principles of fair procedures, the appropriate balance between the rights of persons and the public interest”.
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