AS Government and opposition parties prepare for what is expected to be a bitter five hour Dail debate on the Lowry affair today, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, has expressed confidence that none of his front bench received payment from Dunnes Stores.
A spokesman for Mr Ahern said last night he had been in touch with all his front bench members and the assertion that they were not in receipt of money would be "formally clarified" when they meet in Leinster House today.
Following reports that the Price Waterhouse investigation - into how Dunnes Stores conducted business under its former chairman, Mr Ben Dunne - contained details of payments to a former prominent Fianna Fail politician, the party leader said this person should "come forward".
Rumours continued to sweep Leinster House as to the identity of the politician and it has become clear that the Government parties intend to use the media reports implicating a Fianna Fail figure as a defence against Opposition attacks in the Dail this afternoon.
The debate, which begins at 4.15 p.m., centres on a motion to appoint Mr Alan Dukes as the new Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. But the business is expected to be dominated by the weekend resignation of Mr Michael Lowry.
In spite of Opposition demands that Mr Lowry explain how Mr Dunne came to pay £208,000 for an extension and renovations to his home in Holycross, Co Tipperary, the former minister is not expected to make a statement to the House on the matter in the immediate future.
He will answer questions when he is ready and not according to a timetable set by anyone else he says.
Mr Lowry told RTE's Liveline programme yesterday that he would first have to decide what level of information he could put into the public arena, adding that he would be co operating fully with the Revenue Commissioners.
Stating that all his business contacts with Dunnes Stores were "totally legitimate", he defended his decision to defer explanations of the transactions involving his home, saying these were very complex issues.
He did not wish, either, to give an edge to his competitors by divulging details of his business with Dunnes Stores.
Meanwhile, speaking in Lisbon, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton denied he ever suggested that anyone was exempt from the full rigour of the law, "whatever status they have".
He said he personally had a great affection for Mr Lowry and "a great belief in him. But, equally, I believe that Michael Lowry must, as everybody else, be in a position to co operate fully with everybody whose responsibility it is to investigate his actions from a legal point of view. And, he has told me that he will do that".
Confirming that he had not seen the Price Waterhouse report, he said that the Revenue Commissioners were entitled to get any information contained in it that was relevant to a person's tax liability. The commissioners "are entitled to get that information, should get it and must and will get it".
. Deaglan de Breadun writes: A well known RTE personality is expected to make a statement today about his links with Dunnes Stores.