It also examined accusations of special dispensations given by the then Minister for Industry and Commerce, Albert Reynolds, to Goodman.
[1] The Tribunal began hearings on 21 June 1991 and it reported its conclusions in July 1994, at the time Ireland's longest-running inquiry.
The allegations made in Dáil Éireann covered many of the allegations made in the television programme and included the following:[2] The Beef Tribunal concluded that tax evasion occurred at Goodman International[3] and shone a light on widespread improper relationships between the beef industry, particularly Goodman, and the government.
[4]: 190 Though not directly charged with wrongdoing,[clarification needed] Albert Reynolds's government was ultimately brought down by the fallout of the Beef Tribunal.
[3] Ten years later, Fintan O'Toole commented that while a "shocking set of scandals" were uncovered (including the aforementioned tax evasion, fraud, and theft), "virtually nothing happened", eroding public trust in the system.