A cessation clause will be placed in the new Bill giving High Court powers to the inquiry into bogus non-resident accounts in AIB, writes Geraldine Kennedy, Political Correspondent.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Purcell, will be assisted by a team of independent auditors to conduct the fact-finding phase of the investigation.
The Dail Committee of Public Accounts will be empowered to employ a legal assessor to ensure it is operating within its rights when it goes on to conduct hearings, and compile recommendations, arising from the C & AG's report.
These new powers will be contained in a composite Bill which will be brought before the Cabinet on Tuesday and, it is hoped, passed by the Dail before Christmas.
However, the Government has decided to place a cessation clause in the Bill limiting the extra powers to the inquiry into the operation of DIRT on non-resident accounts in AIB and other financial institutions.
Government sources have confirmed it is intended that the planned independent financial regulatory body would conduct such investigations in future.