State to consider banking crisis probe

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Government will reflect on plans for a public inquiry into the banking crisis amid proposals that such a probe could be wrapped up in three months.

A stumbling block for an inquiry is the need for legislation to force former bankers or taoisigh to attend hearings, and rules governing confidentiality of ministerial papers to be waved.

Mr Kenny said yesterday the Government had made no decision on sanctioning the inquiry, after proposals this week from a high-level committee of TDs, but would consider the idea.