The tribunal set up to investigate an alleged smear campaign against garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe has published its first interim report.
The Disclosures Tribunal, as it has been officially named, chaired by Supreme Court Judge Peter Charleton, will examine allegations that senior gardaí were involved in a smear campaign against Sgt McCabe, among other issues.
The Tribunal has set out a schedule of public hearings, and states that it plans to conclude hearing evidence by the end of the year.
In an interim report, the tribunal said it called for an immediate response from all interested parties and witnesses when it made an opening statement outlining its work in February.
It said the general level of response was "very disappointing".
The interim report also states that former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan and current Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan have both signed documents waving any privilege they may have in relation to any allegedly confidential communication with journalists, as has Superintendent David Taylor.
The work of the Charleton Tribunal will be divided into five sections of public hearings:
The first public hearing in July will look at whether or not State agency files were created or distributed by senior members of An Garda Síochána in inventing or furthering a false allegation of sexual abuse against Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
Public hearings over similar concerns about Garda Keith Harrison and his family will be addressed in September.
A public hearing hoping to be held in November will address what may have been brief to then Garda Press Officer Superintendent David Taylor for dissemination to journalists by former commissioner Martin Callinan and then deputy commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan.
A specific inquiry is to be made in relation to broadcasts on RTÉ on 9 May 2016, and whether or not Commissioner O'Sullivan influenced or dictated the terms of these broadcasts in any way.
The O'Higgins Commission was the subject of these broadcasts. It is not within the terms of reference of the tribunal to re-run the O'Higgins Commission, but the report is part of the evidence before the tribunal.
The interim report says it is hoped to dispose of these matters in December.
An opening statement of counsel indicated an outline of the work done by the tribunal will be made in the first or second week of June.
