Govt to table legislation establishing Curtin inquiry

The Government is due to table legislation in the Dáil today forcing Judge Brian Curtin to appear before an Oireachtas inquiry investigating his conduct.

The legislation is needed because, at present, judges cannot be compelled to appear before such an inquiry.

Judge Curtin was acquitted of possessing child pornography last month. The garda warrant used to search his house was out of date.

A motion establishing an Oireachtas committee to investigate the matter is expected to be tabled by the Government next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, further emergency legislation exempting committee members from the terms of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act is also due to be tabled by the Government today.

The legislation is needed to allow committee members to view the images involved in the Curtin affair without fear of prosecution.