A former civil servant may yet investigate a €300,000 public relations contract held by a political supporter of the Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen, despite a parallel inquiry by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
The Government had been inclined to abandon its plan for such an inquiry once it learned on Thursday afternoon that the commission had ordered a preliminary one of its own.
However, the situation changed after the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said there was a need for speedy answers, rather than waiting for the commission's findings, which could take some weeks.
"We don't want to be accused of dealing with this less than comprehensively. Maybe we are better off letting as many people as possible look at this," one Government source said.
The same source emphasised that no final view "has been formed" on the next step.
An inquiry carried out by a civil servant holds dangers for the Government, particularly if it should reach conclusions different from the commission.
Waterford-based PR consultant, Ms Monica Leech, has earned €303,000 from the Department of the Environment since she was appointed in 2002. Her contract runs out in February.
Ms Leech, who helped to organise a fund-raiser for the Minister's constituency organisation in Waterford recently, had earlier been awarded a contract from the Office of Public Works. She was awarded the latter contract when Mr Cullen was minister of state for the OPW.
A Labour Party spokesman said last night it was still necessary "for the Taoiseach to appoint somebody" because the commission may not be able to investigate State contracts.
However, the commission has demanded under oath all papers held by the Department of the Environment and the OPW about the contracts.
