RTÉ has confirmed that Mayo TD Beverley Flynn is in the process of paying €1.225 million in settlement of the legal fees she owes to the station after her failed libel action against it.
RTÉ said in a statement that "solicitors for Beverley Flynn have been in communication with RTÉ's solicitors and payment is in the process of being made electronically".
In July the TD agreed to pay RTÉ €1.225 million to settle the debt of €2.848 million she owed after her unsuccessful 2001 High Court libel action against the station over its reports that she encouraged people to evade tax while working for National Irish Bank. In 2004, she failed in her appeal to the Supreme Court against that decision. Both courts awarded costs against Ms Flynn, which were certified in September 2005 by the High Court Taxing Master.
Ms Flynn made the settlement with RTÉ when the broadcaster initiated bankruptcy proceedings against her after she had failed to pay any of the total bill of €2,848,088.
Today is the deadline for the payment of the money. It is expected that the bankruptcy proceedings against Ms Flynn will be struck out at a court hearing on October 8th, paving the way for her return to the Fianna Fáil party at the instigation of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Under the Electoral Act 1992 Ms Flynn would have been prevented from being a member of the Dáil if she was declared bankrupt. In June she began a constitutional challenge against the Act. This was aborted when she agreed the settlement with RTÉ.
Following her failed libel action she was expelled from Fianna Fáil. However, Mr Ahern said after the formation of the Government in June that she would be welcome back into the party and that in time she may even be given a junior ministry.
Ms Flynn was one of the four Independent TDs who voted for Mr Ahern's nomination as Taoiseach when the Dáil met to elect a new Government.
