It's emerged that the Oireachtas banking inquiry could be given wider powers than first expected.
The Seanad's procedural committee, the CPP, says laws should be changed so that Central Bank employees can pass on confidential information.
It's asking the government to amend the existing laws, which prevent the Central Bank from handing over certain data.
It's also called for the inquiry to be widened so that the Inquiry investigates the role of the Eurozone in Ireland's financial collapse - even though the inquiry is facing a tough deadline.
The inquiry must finish its work before the next election is called, otherwise it cannot reconstitute itself and issue any findings.
The changes could be seen as a back door to gaining access to documents from the European Central Bank, which is reluctant to take part in the inquiry.
Its former president Jean-Claude Trichet has made it clear he does not wish to participate, while current president Mario Draghi says the bank usually only co-operates with the European Parliament and not national parliaments.
The approval of the 'Committees on Procedures and Privileges' from both the Dáil and Seanad is needed before the inquiry can begin its work on behalf of the Oireachtas.
While making those recommendations, the Seanad CPP says it approves of the plan as a whole.
Although the Seanad's recommendations are not binding, it could be politically unfeasible for the government to reject them.
The approval of the Dáil's CPP has yet to be granted, but it is expected in the coming weeks, with the inquiry intending to begin its first batch of public hearings in December.
Those first hearings will focus on the 'context phase' of the inquiry, while more high-profile witnesses are expected during the 'nexus phase' examining the precise events that led to the banking collapse.
Hearings on that phase are due to run from April to September, with the committee's final report due out by November 2015.
