Government ‘should limit its role in probes’

GOVERNMENTS should have a limited role in setting the terms of reference of investigation commissions, according to the State’s human rights watchdog.

Members of commissions which are replacing the costly and lengthy public tribunals of inquiry should be appointed by an independent panel, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) said.

The HRC said it welcomed the Government's proposed system of commissions of investigation, but only if they did not compromise the human rights of people concerned.