The terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into the former Anglo Irish Bank have been published.

The government's giving the inquiry into IBRC a €4 million budget and says it will issue its final report by the end of December.

Its original draft terms of reference have been expanded - and it will now examine whether the Minister for Finance (or his Department) were aware of any deal to write down debts, or give customers a favourable interest rate.

In cases where the they was told, the inquiry will examine whether they acted appropriately with that information.

It will investigate every case where the bank wrote off more than €10 million in debts, or did a deal on interest rates worth over €4 million - but it can go under those thresholds if there's a matter of public concern.

It can also investigate "whether there is prima facie evidence of material deficiencies in the performance of their functions by those acting on behalf of IBRC, including the IBRC board, directors, management, the staff of the wealth management unit and agents,"

A debate on the terms of reference will begin in the Dail just after 5 o'clock and is due to finish tomorrow morning.