Calls to widen remit of Morris Tribunal

THE Government is to come under pressure to widen the remit of the Morris Tribunal into Garda corruption in Donegal which begins this morning without the participation of 43 witnesses who allege the worst abuses of power.

Opposition parties last night expressed doubts about tribunal's ability to conduct a full inquiry without the involvement of the extended McBrearty family, who have opted out in protest over restrictions on the inquiry's terms of reference.

Fine Gael described the tribunal as an "insufficient vehicle" to investigate the allegations while Labour voiced "deep concern" that key witnesses felt so strongly about deficiencies in the tribunal that they would not take part.