Enda Kenny asked to explain yet another inquiry delay

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been called on to explain why the inquiry investigating the recording of calls in Garda stations wants a second extension of its deadline, which might now see it report after the election.

The Fennelly Commission has confirmed it has submitted a third interim report to Mr Kenny’s office.

The submission is expected to be published in the coming days, once Attorney General Máire Whelan has been consulted.

The inquiry had originally set a deadline of December last year but sought an extension until the end of this year to finish its work.

Its request for another extension comes as a separate inquiry is expected to tell Mr Kenny it also needs more time to finish its work. The IBRC inquiry is expected to say it may take several years to finish probing the sale of State assets and losses to the taxpayer.

It means two major inquiries are now unlikely to report before a spring election — despite the Coalition having previously pledged that both probes could complete their work before then.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins said the request for extra time regarding the Fennelly report is understandable but that an explanation is needed.