Section 5, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2000

(1) The Commission shall be inaugurated within two weeks of the appointment ofits members and shall operate for one year. Provided that for good cause shown, the President may, by statutory instrument, extend the term of the Commission for a further six months. (2) Before the commencement of the period of one year specified in subsection (1), the Commission shall have a preparatory period of three months during which it may undertake all tasks necessary to ensure that it is able to work effectively from the commencement of its operations. (3) The tasks to be undertaken during the preparatory period shall include procurement of office space, preparing a budget, securing funds for the Commission, hiring staff, discussing questions of methodology, designing and undertaking a public education campaign for the purposes and procedures of the Commission, designing and putting in place a database, undertaking a preliminary background research, collecting supporting materials for its investigations and prioritising its work. (4) Both during the preparatory period and after it commences operations, the Commission shall endeavour to inform the public of its existence and the purposes of its work, and, when appropriate, shall invite all interested parties who may wish to do so, to make statements or submit information to the Commission. PART III - FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION