International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Conor Murphy (SF), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I move amendment No. 21:
In page 10, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following:
“Questioning of designated person by nominated judge
9. (1) For the purpose of taking the evidence specified in a decision under section 5(3) to which subsection (6)(c)(i) of that section applies, or specified in a decision under section 6(3) to which subsection (6)(c)(i) of that section applies—
(a) no person other than the nominated judge shall ask questions of the designated person, and
(b) the nominated judge shall examine the designated person on the topics, areas of inquiry or matters specified in the relevant decision, and may, for that purpose—
(i) put to the designated person any document, record or information relevant to those topics or areas of inquiry,
(ii) ask any questions that arise reasonably from the designated person’s answers, from any written statement provided under section 5(5)(a) , or from any relevant document, and
(iii) pursue such supplementary or follow-up questions as the nominated judge considers necessary and appropriate for the effective and fair examination of the designated person.
(2) Nothing in this section shall require the nominated judge to confine the examination to any predetermined or pre-approved list of questions, provided that the examination remains within the scope of the topics, areas of inquiry or matters specified in the relevant decision under section 5 or 6 .
(3) The nominated judge shall conduct the examination in such manner as he or she considers necessary to ensure that the evidence taken is full, accurate and capable of assisting the Inquiry in the performance of its functions.”.
As it stands, this section tightly restricts questioning to the exact questions authorised in advance. It creates a narrow predetermined scope that limits flexibility and prevents broader or exploratory lines of inquiry needed to get to the truth. This amendment ensures examinations are fair, thorough and are not restricted to pre-set questions, allowing the judge to pursue relevant documents, follow-up queries and full evidence for the inquiry’s work. The amendment gives a nominated judge the explicit authority to present relevant documents and pursue follow-up questions within defined topics. The purpose of this amendment is to enable effective and responsible examination, which is something representatives of the families in particular want to see.
Amendment No. 22 allows the chair or counsel on their behalf to question a witness after the judge’s examination probing any matters arising from the evidence. It permits follow-up questions, use of documents and exploration of inconsistencies while keeping all questioning within the defined scope of the inquiry’s authorised topics.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19