1977: First elected to Dublin West constituency.
1979: Elected member of Dublin County Council.
June 1999: Mr Lawlor challenges orders by the Flood tribunal to answer questions. The High Court and later the Supreme Court uphold challenge.
April 2000: Mr Frank Dunlop tells tribunal he gave £48,500 to a politician, a "powerful individual". Mr Lawlor later admits he received about £40,000 from Mr Dunlop.
June 2000: Mr Lawlor resigns from Fianna Fail. Main political parties issue statement expressing concern over his refusal to go before tribunal.
October 2000: The High Court orders Mr Lawlor to appear before the Flood tribunal. The Supreme Court upholds ruling.
December 12th, 2000: At his first appearance Mr Justice Flood tells Mr Lawlor to answer questions.
December 15th, 2000: The Flood tribunal goes to the High Court after Mr Lawlor refuses to answer questions.
January 11th, 2001: Mr Lawlor resigns as vice-chairman of the Oireachtas Finance and Public Service Committee.