The Commission of Inquiry will be given until the end of the year to complete its investigation, it was confirmed today.

The panel, chaired by Sir Anthony Evans, was formed to look into the findings of the Auditor General’s report on the Consolidated Fund for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 financial years.

Originally it was given 20 weeks to complete its work but has now been granted an extension, an agreement reached before the commission began its work.

““Our terms of reference provided that the Commission was to submit its findings and recommendations within 20 weeks of appointment or such longer period as Premier Michael Dunkley may from time to time direct,” said Sir Anthony.

“We provided two reasons to the Premier for our request for an extension — the need to prepare fully for our next public hearing, and to be as fair as we can be to the witnesses who will be required to appear at the hearing.

“We are grateful to the Premier for granting our request as the extension will ensure we have time to consider all that has been said, to follow up on any issues that arise and are outstanding following the hearing, and to prepare our report and make our recommendations.”

Sir Anthony noted that the Commission had posted a set of rules on its website at www.inquirybermuda.com in the Documents section that outlines procedures the Commission intends to follow in a number of areas.

The Commission’s next hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 28 at St. Theresa’s Church Hall, Laffan Street in Hamilton, beginning at 10.00am.

In addition to Sir Anthony, an international jurist and former Bermuda Court of Appeal judge, lawyer John Barritt, businesswoman Fiona Luck and businessman Kumi Bradshaw are members on the Commission..