57AF.—(1) The Appeals Tribunal may, in relation to proceedings before it—

(a) call witnesses on its own initiative, and

(b) examine witnesses on oath, or by use of a statutory declaration, and

(c) examine or cross-examine any witness to such extent as it thinks proper in order to elicit information relevant to the determination of the proceedings, and

(d) require any witness to answer questions that it believes to be relevant to the proceedings.

(2) If the Appeals Tribunal decides to call a person as a witness under this section, it may—

(a) try to get the person to attend the proceedings voluntarily by notifying the person in such manner as it thinks appropriate, or

(b) direct the Registrar to issue a summons to compel the attendance of the person before it.

(3) A party to proceedings before the Appeals Tribunal may apply to the Registrar for the issue of a summons compelling the attendance of a witness before it.

(4) On receiving a direction under subsection (2) or an application under subsection (3), the Registrar shall issue a summons requiring the person named in the summons—

(a) to attend proceedings of the Appeals Tribunal on a specified date and at a specified time and place, and

(b) to attend and give evidence, or attend and produce documents or other things, or to do both of those things.

(5) A summons must be signed by the Registrar or be otherwise authenticated as provided by the rules.

(6) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the requirements of a summons commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both.

(7) A summons may be served within or outside the State.

(8) A person who attends proceedings of the Appeals Tribunal to give evidence, or attend and produce documents or other things, is entitled to the same protection and immunity as a person appearing as a witness in civil proceedings before a court.]