An application by the Revenue Commissioners to secure documents from the Moriarty tribunal concerning a former Fine Gael Minister, Mr Michael Lowry, will be heard at the High Court next Monday. The hearing will be in camera.
The matter was mentioned before the president of the court, Mr Justice Morris, yesterday when Mr Denis McDonald SC, for the Revenue Commissioners, asked for a week's adjournment. Counsel said there would be discussions between the parties which might simplify the application.
It is understood the Revenue will argue it needs to have all tribunal papers relating to Mr Lowry if it is to investigate his tax liabilities. The tribunal has been unwilling to hand over the papers.
It is believed the tribunal will contest the application on the grounds that it is obliged to preserve the confidentiality of information supplied to it. Tribunal lawyers are also expected to argue that the information is intended solely for the purposes of their investigation.
Mr McDonald said yesterday everyone involved in the hearing agreed the matter might be adjourned to next week. The hearing would take about 20 minutes, he added.