Q&A: Commission of inquiry or tribunal

There are important differences in the various methods of investigation, writes Juno McEnroe

What is the difference between a commission of investigation and a tribunal?

The fundamental differences between the two forms of inquiry come down to the latter being held in public, usually being a longer process but also costing more. Ireland has had an unhealthy relationship with tribunals in the past with the Mahon, Moriarty, and Smithwick inquiries among others where eight-digit figures for bills featured like telephone numbers.