Law would let civil servants give evidence on state policy

CIVIL servants will finally be allowed to lift the lid on controversial government policies under rules that will come into effect if the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries is passed.

Under laws dating from 1997, departmental staff involved in decision making are forbidden from giving evidence about government policy or the merits of policy objectives.

But a new version of a bill, which will be passed if the October 27 referendum is successful, lifts this prohibition. It says civil servants will give evidence to ensure the full facts of any issue being inquired into by the Oireachtas are available.