The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, is to bring proposals to Cabinet in the next month for the first fast-track public inquiry under the new alternative to tribunals which will investigate child sexual abuse by priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
The new inquiry, which will be called a commission of investigation, will have similar powers to tribunals to gather evidence. It could involve the investigation of abuse claims and their handling from potentially thousands of victims of sexual abuse.
Much of its work is expected to be carried out behind closed doors however, although it will be able to hold some parts of the inquiry in public.
Senior clerics, including Cardinal Desmond Connell, could be questioned in public about their responses to abuse complaints against priests in their charge.
Legislation, which was introduced nearly two years ago, was passed late last year by the Oireachtas, paving the way for the establishment of new inquiries.
Under the legislation the Government is able to establish commissions at its discretion to investigate various matters of public interest. The legislation followed concerns about the length of time and costs associated with tribunals, and the fact that to establish other statutory inquiries required specific legislation.
In November 2002, following revelations in an RTÉ Primetime documentary, Mr McDowell, promised a public inquiry into the handling of abuse complaints by the Archdiocese.
The Irish Times has learned that officials have been consulting with victim's rights groups such as One in Four, and the Dublin Archdiocese, about the terms of reference.
The proposed terms are to establish facts surrounding at least 59 priests in the diocese who are believed to have abused children, what, if any, complaints were made to the Archdiocese about the priests, and how they were responded to.
According to the latest figures, the Archdiocese has recorded complaints against 60 priests over the last 40 years, one of which has now been established as false. The diocese has now paid out €2.5 million in compensation payments to 38 victims.
Mr Colm O'Gorman, of One in Four, said victims had been waiting more than two years for the inquiry.
"We're very pleased to hear the proposals will finally be going to Government," he said. "It's very important that this inquiry will be effective, and we have appreciated the difficulties in drafting the legislation, which has led to the delay. Never the less it has been over two years since it was first promised."
The commission can be chaired by a retired judge or a senior counsel, and will be able to employ expert staff, including investigators and lawyers