Mr Liam Lawlor has called for an investigation into "allegations and suspicions" that he was the source of a story that planning tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon had made a tax settlement with the Revenue.
Making a submission to the tribunal in Dublin Castle this morning on the issue of costs Mr Lawlor dismissed a story which appeared in last Sunday's Ireland on Sundaywith the headline: "Liam prime suspect in Mahon tax setup".
Judge Mahon confirmed last week that he had made a tax settlement of £20,000 with the Revenue Commissioners in 1992.
He issued the statement on the matter following media enquiries that were made of him in relation to an article that appeared in Phoenixmagazine last week.
At the tribunal today, Mr Lawlor also asked for a statement from the tribunal that lawyers for the inquiry did not consider him to be the source of the story which, as Mr Lawlor claimed in his submission, was suggested in the Ireland on Sundayarticle.
He also claimed that there was serious implication in the article that tribunal lawyers had given an off-the-record briefing to Mr Frank Connolly, a senior reporter with Ireland on Sunday.
"I would like to indicate publicly that I was not the source either direct or indirect of the article that appeared in the Phoenixmagazine concerning the chairman and I trust the chairman will accept this clarification," said Mr Lawlor.
He added that on a previous occasion Judge Mahon's predecessor, Mr Justice Flood, "saw fit to refer the leaking of tribunal-related matters carried in the media, to the gardaí authorities for investigation".
He said he wanted a statement stating whether the tribunal believed the story was "unfounded or if there is suspicion that I am the source of the story.
"The net result is that my position in appearing before the chairman is now prejudiced until such time as this matter is fully investigated and reported on and I am afforded the opportunity to clear my name," Mr Lawlor added.
He also said he had written to the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy alerting him to the matter.
When Mr Lawlor tried to raise the matter of evidence given to the tribunal last week by builder Mr Seamus Ross, Judge Mahon adjourned the tribunal, accusing Mr Lawlor of abusing his position.
While the costs issue will be decided at a later date, the tribunal heard submissions this morning from both the Minister for Finance and the Attorney General that the issue could not be decided until Judge Mahon had produced an interim report on the findings of the tribunal.
Mr Lawlor's position is in agreement with that of the Department of Finance and the Attorney General.