The Commission of Enquiry into the Paria Diving Tragedy has asked for a further extension of three months to deliver its Final Report.
In a letter to President Christine Kangaloo, the Commission’s Chairman, Jerome Lynch KC, said the new deadline of August 30th will not be met due to a number of new decisions dealing with the importance of the proper procedure to be adopted in Commissions of Enquiry.
On May 19th, the President had given the Commission an extension of time until August 30th for the submission of the Commission’s Final Report.
Mr. Lynch, though, is now asking an extension to November 30th 2023, which he said represents a 16-month timescale from his appointment to the date of the Final Report.
He pointed out that to ensure fairness to everyone and that the parties have the right to a fair opportunity to make their case, the Commission has given the parties extra time to provide their written responses.
Mr. Lynch added that the Commissioners’ professional commitments outside of this Commission of Enquiry have also caused some further delay.