THE tribunal of inquiry into payments by Dunnes Stores to politicians and political parties will get under way with a preliminary hearing in Dublin Castle this afternoon.
The tribunal, chaired by Mr Justice Brian McCracken, will meet at 2 p.m. to hear applications from people wishing to be represented during proceedings. It is not expected to begin hearing oral evidence from witnesses until after Easter, although staff have begun collecting documentation.
The tribunal is to seek a copy of the Price Waterhouse report, which listed names of people to whom payments were made by Dunnes Stores. It will also seek the affidavit prepared by Mr Ben Dunne which is alleged to name a senior Fianna Fail politician as the beneficiary of £1.1 million.
The tribunal will be represented by Mr Denis McCullough SC, Mr Michael Collins SC and Mr Tony Aston BL. The legal team to represent the public interest at the tribunal includes Mr Edward Comyn SC and Ms Nuala Butler BL.
Last week the tribunal directed people who were members of the Houses of the Oireachtas between January 1st 1986 and December 31st 1996 to contact the tribunal office at Dublin Castle. The tribunal's terms of reference direct it to investigate payments made by Dunnes Stores and/or any associated companies and/or Mr Ben Dunne between those dates.