In a statement, the commission of inquiry said it has completed the drafting of its final report, only 'pre-publication work remaining before the report is printed and submitted to the prime minister'.

Commission spokesperson Michael Tansey told IANS he expects the report 'will be released later this year'.

'We are now entering the production phase which includes a National Security review by relevant government agencies and departments, translation, layout and printing.'

Asked what action the report will recommend to the government, Tansey said: 'It is up to the government to determine what it does with the recommendations in the report. The report will cover all of the areas that are included in the Commission's mandate'.

He said the five-volume report will be issued in English and French.

The commission had presented at an interim report in December 2007 on the heart-wrenching testimonies of the families of the victims.