Anti-bias tests for bank probe members

Banking inquiry members look set to undergo immediate anti-bias tests in order to make them "bullet proof" to allegations of prejudice aimed at delaying the probe.

Chairperson of the long awaited investigation into the causes and handling of the financial collapse, Ciarán Lynch, has welcomed the move as the inquiry finally begins to get under way.

As things stand, the 11 members of the Oireachtas banking committee charged with conducting the probe would only under go a bias investigation if a complaint of prejudice was made against them.

The decision on whether they are compromised by past statements or actions would then be taken by the Oireachtas watchdog committee of procedure and privileges, but calls have now been heard to speed-up the process by pre-vetting all members when the terms of reference for the inquiry are set later this month.

Cork Labour TD Mr Lynch said moves to pre-vet inquiry members could be a good way forward.

“With the banking inquiry proposals to be determined this month it might be a good idea to take into consideration pre-bias testing as part of that.

“Any person can make a complaint against a member of the inquiry alleging perceived bias and the CPP would then convene to decide if that complaints would stand or fall. It could demonstrate good practice if we took the bias issue of the table now and went ahead and held the bias tests at the get-go.

“If we deal with this issue from the start it will minimise potential for challenge, obstructions and difficulties which could arise otherwise,” Mr Lynch said.

After voters rejected a 2011 constitutional amendment to restore full investigative powers to the Oireachtas along the lines exercised by law makers in Washington DC and Westminster, the probe will not be allowed to apportion blame.

Legislation brought in by Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin which makes it clear that members of an Oireachtas probe must be free of any bias regarding the issue under examination.

If a member of the 11 strong committee was found to be biased they would have to stand down, prompting yet more controversy.

Uproar was sparked when failure by Labour Senators to attend a meeting meant the opposition would have a five-four majority.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted it must have a Government majority — even though he insisted it would be independent — and so expanded its composition to 11 to ensure Fine Gael and Labour had the upper hand.

The probe is expected to report by November 2015, but would be disbanded if a general election were called before then.