The Commission of Inquiry will host its first public hearing on June 27, scrutinising the previous government’s use of taxpayer funds.

Members have reportedly completed a week of preparatory meetings, during which they established a timetable leading up to the hearing.

The commission, established by Michael Dunkley, the Premier, has been tasked with investigating the findings of former Auditor-General Heather Jacobs Matthews’s report on the Consolidated Fund for the Financial Years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The report noted $78.8 million worth of contracts in 2010 and 2011 which were not put out to tender, including $18.1 million in the now-defunct Department of Tourism. The report also found $5 million in spending without contracts or agreements and $14 million in spending which did not receive the required cabinet approval.

The commission is chaired by international jurist and former Bermuda Court of Appeal judge Sir Anthony Evans, with lawyer and former MP John Barritt, businesswoman Fiona Luck and businessman Kumi Bradshaw serving as members.

Sir Anthony said that commission members had identified a number of key dates that will guide their process.

“The commission intends to commence hearing evidence at a public hearing in Hamilton on June 27,” he said.

“Our intention is to conduct a thorough and detailed examination into matters referred to in section three of the Auditor-General’s report or relevant to them.

“It is important to note that our investigation may result in members considering matters that relate to events occurring before or after the specific dates in section three of the Auditor-General’s report.

“We will notify those who will be requested or required to give evidence at the hearing on or before May 5.

“In addition, any person who would like to give oral or written evidence related to matters listed in section three is asked to notify the commission as soon as possible and, if possible, no later than May 20.

“This notification may be made in writing, addressed to me as chairman, or by telephone or e-mail. All of these communications will be treated in confidence.”

As part of the commission’s mandate, it will investigate any transactions in which contracts were not tendered, contracts were awarded without cabinet approval when it was required, payments made without contracts and any cases where there was an irregularity in the tendering, award or payment process.

Specific projects expected to come under scrutiny include renovations at the Ministry of Finance and Department of Human Resources, the central laboratory building project, IT deficiencies, payments to consultants and cases involving duplicate payments or overpayments.

In each case, they are tasked with identifying how breaches arose, the adequacy of the safeguards in place, make recommendations, refer evidence of criminal activity to the police or the Director of Public Prosecutions and look at ways to secure recompense.

Sir Anthony said that commission members were fully committed to conducting their deliberations in a fair, objective and independent manner, stating: “We are acutely aware of the importance of our inquiry and the many economic and social challenges Bermuda continues to face.

“Under any circumstances, fairness, objectivity and independence would be critical components of our deliberations. The current environment only serves to heighten the need for vigilance in this regard.

“We want the process to be clear and, in that regard, we will issue regular updates.

“We also intend to launch a simple website later this month with the information that should help keep the public abreast of our progress.”