MR Bertie Ahern has deflected a challenge from the Taoiseach to go to the "senior Fianna Fail person who held high office" to seek the truth about reports that he received £1.1 million from Dunnes Stores.
In the highly charged Leinster House atmosphere, generated by the motions to set up a judicial inquiry, Mr Bruton put it to the Fianna Fail leader that this would not be an unreasonable request for him to make, in view of the fact that Mr Ahern and his party "have expressed anxiety that matters be advanced quickly".
In a sharp response last night, Mr Ahern said it was not his business "to dignify or give any particular credibility to the allegations of former Minister Lowry. Let an impartial tribunal find out expeditiously whether there is any truth to them."
The exchanges took place as preparations continued to have the tribunal of inquiry into payments to politicians by Dunnes Stores established by next week. Dublin Castle is likely to be the venue.
The Government is considering appointing two legal teams to the tribunal: one to represent the tribunal, the other to represent the public interest. The question of providing legal representation to the Government at some future point in the inquiry is also being considered.
The terms of reference for the inquiry are much broader than was envisaged yesterday, when they were presented to and passed by the Dail and Seanad.
The inquiry will investigate "all payments in cash or in kind, directly or indirectly, whether authorised or unauthorised, within or without the State" made or received by members of the Oireachtas, their relatives, connected persons or political parties over a 10-year period.
The tribunal will cover any alleged payments and benefits conferred by or on behalf of Dunnes Holding Company, other associated companies or entities and/or Mr Ben Dunne and/or companies or trusts controlled directly or indirectly by members of the Dunne family in that period.
Associated companies are named as Ben Lettery Ltd, Green Arch Corporation, Dunnes Stores Ltd, Dunnes Holding Company and any company, other boy, trust company or other entity inside or outside the State in which any directors exercised even a significant influence.
Fianna Fail members were particularly tense yesterday as the motions were put in place for the inquiry. Mr Ahern told the Dail he wanted the tribunal established "without fear or favour, whether it relates to a former member of this Government, or any previous government".
In the Seanad, Mr Bruton suggested that Mr Ahern could make the results of his inquiries with the senior Fianna Fail figure public, either by public statement or by providing the information to the tribunal.
In a later statement, Mr Ahern said the only thing that had been substantiated so far was that up to £600,000 went from Dunnes to Fine Gael or its members, of which up to £400,000 went to the former Minister, Mr Lowry.
