Enda Kenny has warned opposition leaders that the inquiry into IBRC could end up becoming as long-running and expensive as a Tribunal of Inquiry.
The warning comes in a private letter outlining the legal options for reviving the inquiry.
Enda Kenny's letter outlines some proposals for one-off legislation that would get Judge Brian Cregan's inquiry back on its feet, but which wouldn't apply to other inquiries.
The plans include giving the judge the power to still accept evidence even if it was originally confidential – while the Minister for Finance would also have the power to order IBRC's liquidators to turn over any other documents.
But it also proposes to give the inquiry's chairman the powers of a High Court judge when it comes to issuing orders – a situation which Kenny admits would see the inquiry become a Tribunal "in all but name", with knock-on effects on its cost and timeframe.
The letter also outlines plans to bring forward the investigation into the sale of SiteServ to businessman Denis O'Brien – which would still take almost 12 months.
But there's also a risk that that too could also result in legal action – over why SIteServ is being singled out in the first place.
