The Attorney General, Mr David Byrne SC, has appointed two lawyers to represent the public interest at the Flood tribunal which opens today in Dublin Castle. They are Mr James O'Reilly SC, a noted constitutional lawyer, and Mr Eamon Galligan, a barrister with planning expertise.
The opening hours of the planning tribunal are expected to deal with procedural detail and legal representation, but well-placed sources yesterday took the view that a key witness, Mr James Gogarty (81), would probably testify before today's session ends.
Even up to last weekend, there was speculation that the former managing director of Joseph Murphy Structural Engineers Ltd, who has alleged planning corruption, would not attend the sworn hearings.
These take place a year after the tribunal embarked on its wide-ranging private investigations into alleged planning irregularities.
Mr Gogarty's evidence is expected to attract intense media and political interest, as is that of the former minister for foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke. It is not known when Mr Burke, whose political career ended as a result of Mr Gogarty's claims of political donations to him, will appear.
No serving minister has so far been called to give evidence before Mr Justice Flood. No allegations have been put by the tribunal to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, or members of his Cabinet. Government sources said the Taoiseach would be prepared at any time to give evidence.
It is not clear if the EU Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, will be required to appear before the tribunal over claims by a property developer, Mr Tom Gilmartin, that he made a £50,000 donation to Fianna Fail through him.