Govt proposes referendum on Oireachtas committee powers

The Government is to hold a referendum to give Oireachtas committees greater powers of investigation.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would not set up a parliamentary investigation into the banking crisis until the committee system had adequate powers to do so.

The referendum will deal with the fallout from the Abbylara Supreme court case which ruled Oireachtas committees could not conduct inquiries which could result in findings of fact.

In the Dáil, Mr Kenny said the referendum would allow the Government to set up a proper investigation into the banking crisis.