Centre for Public Inquiry

The Centre for Public Inquiry (Irish: 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". Its board was made up of Justice Feargus Flood, Enda McDonagh of University College, Cork, broadcaster Damien Kiberd and writer Greg O'Neill.

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, although he had never been charged with the offence. The allegations were published in the Irish Independent after then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell leaked them to journalist Sam Smyth . Connolly denies the allegations, describing them as "false and malicious". He was backed by the CPI's board which stated that: "The Board of the Centre for Public Inquiry reiterates its full confidence in its Executive Director, Frank Connolly and his integrity" and said "...the claim made in Dáil Eireann by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, that either Frank Connolly or the CPI, or both, could pose a threat to the security of the State is entirely without evidential basis, unsustainable, and totally untrue." The allegations were made in the aftermath of the publication of The Great Corrib Gas Controversy (see Corrib gas controversy) and over two years after the Director for Public Prosecutions had decided not to prosecute Connolly..

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of legal action by Treasury Holdings in Dublin meant funding for the body from its financial backer Chuck Feeney was withdrawn. Without the necessary funding the CPI ceased to function.

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)