Bank inquiry legislation could be published within two weeks

Legislation to sanction a public inquiry into Ireland's bank guarantee could be published within two weeks.

The Sunday Business Post says the government is preparing a new Bill which will give an Oireachtas Committee the power to call witnesses - who could include former Taoiseach Brian Cowen, members of his cabinet as well as bank officials.

The inquiry is likely to be handled by either The Public Accounts or Finance Committee - is expected to focus on the night the guarantee was agreed in September of 2008.