Mahon Tribunal: The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is to give evidence before the Mahon tribunal today.
Legal representatives of the Taoiseach yesterday raised the issue of his giving evidence because of their concerns about a report in yesterday's Irish Times which quoted a spokeswoman for the Taoiseach as saying he was frustrated at the delays.
However, yesterday morning, the tribunal chairman, Judge Alan Mahon, said he wanted to make it clear that it was the Taoiseach who had sought a postponement until after Easter, and not the tribunal.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach's spokeswoman was quoted as saying: "He is extremely disappointed that he will not have an opportunity before the Easter break.
"It does have implications because the tribunal has said that he will not appear before April 21st.
"It is totally non-specific about when he might appear. If it drifts on into May, or even June, it will make things extremely difficult because of his international commitments.
"His diary is completely chock-a-block from May with the European Union. Obviously, the local elections will be there as well. That has to be borne in mind."
Mr Conor Maguire SC, representing the Taoiseach, said he wanted to "clarify the position of the Taoiseach, as you know he is anxious to give evidence here at the tribunal.
"Clearly the cross-examinations have gone on much longer than expected and it's preferable that the cross-examination should be finished before [Mr Ahern] gives his evidence, and, in light of that, I just wanted to clarify that there is no blame being placed on the tribunal by either me or him in relation to the question of his evidence not being taken as early as he would have liked it to be done."
Judge Mahon said he wanted to "make it clear it was not our decision to postpone Mr Ahern's attendance as has been reported, possibly inaccurately, in at least one of the newspapers".
"The decision not to give evidence before Easter was, as I understand it, Mr Ahern's decision. Given that Mr Gilmartin's evidence or cross-examination has not concluded he is perfectly entitled. There is no criticism on our part that he should wish that Mr Gilmartin's evidence be concluded before he gives evidence.
"The offer, should he wish to avail of it, to give evidence tomorrow is there for him if he wishes to take it up."
Judge Mahon also said he believed Mr Maguire was "aware that the offer was there in any event for some days past".
Mr Maguire said he had not been aware of the offer last Friday when a decision on the time Mr Ahern would be giving evidence was made.
However, two matters were "certainly indicated" to the tribunal at that stage.
"First of all he was anxious to give his evidence, secondly, it would be after the evidence cross-examination of Mr Gilmartin, and in those circumstances chairman, it was understood because cross-examination was unpredictable and lasted much longer."