Labour calls for alternative to tribunals

The Labour Party leader has accused the Government of seeking to reconsider the Flood Tribunal for its own political advantage.

Addressing the annual conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Tralee, Pat Rabbitte called for legislation to restore parliamentary committees as economical and effective alternatives to tribunals of enquiry.

Mr Rabbitte accepted that there was a need for a cheaper, quicker, and more efficient method of enquiring into matters which in the public interest could not be swept under the carpet.

However, he pointed out that the DIRT Enquiry has finished its public hearings in six weeks and recouped almost €500m for the Exchequer.

He said that it was regrettable that there was no sign of the Government moving to reform the law to restore investigation by parliamentary committees which was restricted by a Supreme Court ruling in relation to the Abbeylara investigation.

Mr Rabbitte also called for legislation reform to control the price of development land saying strong intervention by the State is essential in the interest of social justice and the common good.

He accused the Government of long-fingering the issue of exorbitant land prices by referring the matter to the Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution.

He said that as a result many workers on reasonable incomes cannot aspire to owning their own homes.

Mr Rabbitte also outlined his commitment to keeping State companies in public ownership but recognised that the public service and State companies must be seen to give value for money.

He also criticised the Government's economic record particularly in relation to cut backs in social provision.