Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 2004

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Section

1.

Definitions.

2.

Amendment of section 6 of 1979 Act.

3.

Amendment of 1997 Act.

4.

Short title and collective citation.

Acts Referred to

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2002

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 1979

1979, No. 3

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 1997

1997, No. 42

“Directions and orders of High Court.

4A.—(1) A tribunal or, where the tribunal consists of more than one member, the chairperson may, whenever the tribunal or chairperson considers it appropriate to do so, apply to the High Court for directions relating to the performance of the functions of the tribunal or the chairperson under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2004, including their functions under section 6 of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 1979 relating to costs.

(2) On an application under subsection (1), the High Court may give such directions and make such orders as it considers appropriate.

(3) The High Court may, on application, hear an application under subsection (1) otherwise than in public if satisfied that it is appropriate to do so because of—

(a) the subject matter in relation to which directions are sought,

(b) a risk of prejudice to criminal proceedings, or

(c) any other matter relating to the nature of the evidence to be given at the hearing of the application.

(4) The High Court shall give such priority as it reasonably can, having regard to all the circumstances, to the disposal of proceedings in the Court under this Act.

(5) The Superior Court Rules Committee may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, make rules to facilitate giving effect to subsection (4).

“Divisions of tribunals.

4B.—(1) A tribunal consisting of more than one member may, whenever the chairperson so determines, act in divisions each of which consists of such members of the tribunal as the chairperson may determine.

(2) The chairperson of a tribunal may, in relation to each division—

(a) designate one member of the division as its chairperson,

(b) determine those functions of the tribunal that are to be performed by the division,

(c) determine the matters in relation to which the division is to perform those functions, and

(d) require the division to prepare a report of its findings.

(3) A division of a tribunal shall provide any report prepared as required by subsection (2) to the chairperson of the tribunal, and the report is considered for all purposes to have been made by the tribunal.

(4) A division of a tribunal and the chairperson of a division have, for the purposes of performing the functions of the division, all the powers and duties of the tribunal and chairperson of the tribunal respectively, including their powers and duties under section 6 of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act 1979 relating to costs.

(5) If the chairperson of a division of a tribunal is for any reason unable to continue to act as such, another member of the division may be designated under subsection (2)(a) as its chairperson, and the designation does not affect decisions, determinations or inquiries made or other actions taken before the designation.”.