Fine Gael's education spokeswoman Ms Olwyn Enright has called for the live televising of tribunals of inquiry, saying that only a small number of people were able to see the Taoiseach giving his evidence at the Mahon tribunal last week.
In a statement yesterday, Ms Enright contrasted the situation in Ireland with that in other countries. "Other countries are already broadcasting important testimony on live television," she said. The Hutton inquiry in the the UK and Dr Condoleezza Rice's testimony to the US committee investigating the 9/11 attacks, were examples, she added.
She said it was in the public interest to televise live the proceedings of the tribunals. "As the taxpayers are picking up the bill for the public hearings they should be allowed through the television networks to see at first hand the witnesses giving their evidence." There should be a more open approach to public affairs here, Ms Enright said.