Flood legislation can be passed by Easter

The Government is insisting that the legislation to allow extra judges join the Flood Tribunal will be passed before Easter.

Justice Fergus Flood has written to the Oireachtas expressing his concern that the inquiry may be delayed until Autumn.

Nine months after Justice Flood made the request, the two extra judges and a substitute, promised by the Government have not been appointed.

Justice Flood is worried that he will be delayed from starting the next phase of his investigations until the Autumn, and in his letter this week he expressed his fear that the necessary legislation will not be passed in the lifetime of this Government.

The legislation is part of the Court and Court Officers Bill, which is currently before the House. Senior Government sources say with six sitting days left before the Easter break, they’re confident that the Bill will be passed.