The flood tribunal inquiring into payments to the former minister, Mr Ray Burke, will sit at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8th, at the Four Courts to hear applications from anyone seeking to be legally represented.
The terms of reference of the tribunal have been widened significantly to allow any allegations, backed by evidence, against Mr Burke to be fully investigated.
The amendments, which were detailed in public notices at the weekend, were passed by the Dail on July 2nd.
They enable the tribunal to investigate the motive for making and receiving payments improperly connected with any public office or position held by Mr Burke, whose last post was Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The terms were changed after the disclosure that Rennicks Manufacturing Ltd, a subsidiary of Fitzwilliam Plc, had donated £30,000 to Mr Burke by a cheque payable in cash during the 1989 general election campaign.
The first amendment permits the tribunal to investigate "whether any substantial payments were made or benefits provided, directly or indirectly, to Mr Raphael Burke between 1st January 1973 and the date of this resolution which may, in the opinion of the sole member of the tribunal, amount to corruption or involve attempts to influence or compromise the disinterested performance of public duties or were made or provided in circumstances which may give rise to reasonable inference that the motive for making or receiving such payments was improperly connected with any public office or position held by Mr Raphael Burke, whether as Minister of State, elected representative or otherwise."
The second amendment states: "Whether, in return for or in connection with such payments or benefits, Mr Raphael Burke did any act or made any decision while holding any such public office or position which was intended to confer any benefit on any person or entity making a payment or providing a benefit referred to in paragraph 1 above, or any other person or entity, or procured or directed any other person to do such an act or make such a decision."
The tribunal has moved to the State Apartments, Upper Castle Yard, Dublin Castle. All correspondence and inquiries should be directed there at (01) 633-9800.
Anyone with information which might be relevant should write, in confidence, to the Solicitor to the Tribunal, at that address.