Centre for Public Inquiry

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The Centre for Public Inquiry (Fiosrú an Phobail) was established in February 2005 as a non-governmental body to "...investigate matters of public importance in Irish political, public and corporate life".^[1]

[edit] History of the CPI

The CPI was an unpopular body with the Irish Government and business interests in Ireland. In December 2005 the Executive Director of the CPI, Frank Connolly was subject to allegations that he had used a fake passport to gain entry to Colombia by (then) Irish Minister for Jusice Michael McDowell^[2]. Connolly denies this, describing the allegations as "false and malicious". The allegations came in the aftermath of the Corrib Gas Controversy and over two years since the Director for Public Prosecutions had decided not to prosecute Mr Connolly.^[3].

The CPI was a hardworking but short-lived body. The attacks against Frank Connolly by McDowell combined with the threat of legal action by Treasury Holdings in Dublin meant funding for the body from its financial backer Chuck Feeney was withdrawn.^[4] Without the necessary funding needed the CPI ceased to function.

[edit] CPI Reports

• The Great Corrib Gas Controversy (22/11/2005)
• The Proposed Corrib Onshore System - An Independent Analysis (22/11/2005)
• Trim Castle, A Monument to Bad Planning? (27/09/2005)

[edit] References