Banking inquiry clashes to get full live TV treatment

The crisis-battered Oireachtas banking inquiry is set to broadcast all its clashes with witnesses live on TV, but key political figures are not expected to give evidence until next summer.

The probe was finally set to begin work today as members moved to put the rows over the Government’s built-in majority behind it. Talks have begun with cable TV operators to ensure the proceedings are broadcast live from the inquiry’s base in Leinster House.

With oral evidence from major players involved in the financial and political system at the time of the crash not expected to be called until April 2015, committee chairman Ciarán Lynch indicated senior politicians would probably not be the first witnesses called.

“It will be determined by the terms of reference that we will be deciding on, but it might be better to get the financial service organisations in first as they have a broad range of information,” the Cork TD said.

Other key witness blocks will include politicians such as Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen, along with the Central Bank and regulation sector, and the banking chiefs themselves. The committee will meet weekly before presenting its proposals for the shape of the investigation to the Oireachtas watchdog Committee of Procedure and Privileges for scrutiny in September.

After two weeks of turmoil sparked by Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s insistence the probe have a Government majority, despite a cock-up by Coalition senators leaving Fine Gael and Labour with four of the nine members, the committee will struggle to regain public trust.

Mr Kenny expanded the membership to 11 so that the Coalition would have the edge, but said he would not impose a whip on Government TDs and senators taking part.

Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly quit in protest at what he branded the “anti-democratic” move, but his replacement from the independent group, Joe Higgins, said he always expected it would have a Government majority.

Socialist TD Mr Higgins insisted his outspoken views on bankers and the financial crash would not prejudice the probe.

The TD branded Fianna Fáil one of the establishment parties along with Fine Gael and Labour, so independent voices were needed.