Inquiry launched into campus controversy

The Attorney General, Michael McDowell, is to launch an inquiry into the latest controversy to affect the Campus Ireland project.

Mr McDowell will attempt to establish how a shelf company was awarded the contract to build the National Aquatic Centre, which is part of the proposed campus.

However, the opposition parties have thwarted any hopes from the Government that this would be enough to resolve the matter.

Both Michael Noonan and Ruairi Quinn claim that the Taoiseach should explain his involvement in the matter before the Easter recess in the Dail.

Both the Fine Gael and Labour leaders are convinced that Mr Ahern should give a proper explanation as to how such a company came to win the lucrative contract.