The inquiry into the sale of SiteServ will not now issue its first report on the matter until the end of next year.

That is a result of the revised terms of reference and extra powers to be given to the inquiry in the coming weeks.

TDs have today passed legislation giving the inquiry more power to compel documents and to override legal privilege in certain cases.

But it is believed that the revised terms of reference – to prioritise the SiteServ sale over other transactions – is likely to lead to a longer delay in the inquiry reporting back.

It is also understood that Justice Brian Cregan, leading the inquiry, believes more time is needed to consider hundreds of thousands of pages of evidence.