Referendum to empower role of the Oireachtas

THE country will go to the polls later this year in a referendum to give the Oireachtas powers to bring key players in the banking crisis before a committee of investigation.

After the latest report on the financial collapse failed to pin the blame on a single individual or organisation, the Government is pledging a televised committee hearing to get answers.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said this would require a referendum to “empower committees to investigate matters”.