The Public Expenditure Minister says any re-run of the referendum on giving Oireachtas committees powers of investigation should not get in the way of setting up a banking inquiry.

Brendan Howlin says he does not intend to bring a memorandum to Government next week for a referendum in the autumn.

Speaking at the North-South Ministerial Council in Dublin this morning, Minister Howlin told reporters getting a banking inquiry underway now is the main issue.