What is Public inquiry?
A '''public inquiry''' (or tribunal of inquiry) is an official [[review]] ordered by a government body. It is used in many [[common law]] countries, such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Australia]] and [[Canada]]. The idea is also used in many other countries, perhaps not with the same title. It is an expression of [[democracy]], that in some cases people and groups should be able to have their voice heard directly. The issues at stake may be of a local kind, or special to a particular group of people. A public inquiry differs from a [[Royal Commission]]. A public inquiry accepts [[evidence]], conducts its hearings in public and deals with a specific occurrence. Interested members of the public and organisations may make [[speech|oral]] or written submissions, and listen to oral evidence given by other parties. Research on the effects of public inquiries suggests they may not do much to change people's minds.<ref>[http://aas.sagepub.com/content/48/1/3.abstract Sulitzeanu-Kenan R & Y. Holzman-Gazit. 2016. Form and Content: Institutional Preferences and Public Opinion in a Crisis Inquiry, ''Administration & Society'' 48(1): 3-30] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223180849/http://aas.sagepub.com/content/48/1/3.abstract |date=2016-02-23 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1467-9299.2006.00605.x | volume=84 | title=If they get it right: an experimental test of the effects of the appointment and reports of UK public inquiries. |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_public-administration_2006_84_3/page/623 | year=2006 | journal=Public Administration | pages=623–653 | last1 = Sulitzeanu-Kenan | first1 = Raanan| issue=3 }}</ref> However, it is normal for a public enquiry to be about some controversy. That is the point of the exercise. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Public speaking]] [[Category:Democracy]] [[Category:Government]]