The former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, is to appear before the planning tribunal next week in another instalment of the dispute over access to his financial records.
In a clear sign of his determination to leave behind the controversy over the departure of his predecessor, Mr Justice Flood, the newly-appointed chairman, Judge Alan Mahon, has scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday.
Mr Lawlor, who has already spent six weeks in jail for failing to co-operate with the tribunal, said yesterday he did not know what information the tribunal was seeking from him. However, he said a difficulty had arisen in relation to some overseas financial institutions, which were looking for their costs from him in return for tracing his records.
"This has placed me in a dilemma, whereby I have to keep up with the bureaucratic machine of the tribunal when I don't have their unlimited resources," he said.
Next Wednesday, the tribunal plans to resume hearings of the Carrickmines module, concerning allegations that politicians were paid money in return for their votes on motions to rezone land in the area.
Judge Mahon, who was appointed yesterday by the Government, is not expected to deal with the controversial issue of legal costs for the first five years of the tribunal until later in the year.
The tribunal last sat on May 2nd. The then chairman, Mr Justice Flood, then planned to determine the costs issue, but these hearings were cancelled amid claims that former Fianna Fáil minister, Mr Ray Burke, had a deal on costs with the tribunal.
Mr Justice Flood and the tribunal denied there was any such deal. Two weeks later, he decided to step down as chairman and proposed Judge Mahon as his replacement. After further deliberation and contact with the Government, Mr Justice Flood opted to leave the tribunal altogether.
At next week's resumed hearings in the Carrickmines module, the tribunal plans to call a number of bank witnesses, followed by three councillors whom the former lobbyist, Mr Frank Dunlop, has accused of taking bribes. These are Mr John O'Halloran, Mr Seán Kilbride and Mr Colm McGrath.
Councillors Betty Coffey and Larry Butler are also scheduled to give evidence.
With the departure of Mr Justice Flood, Judge Gerald Keys becomes a full member of the tribunal; up to now, he has served as a reserve.
