The Fianna Fail committee investigating payments to its politicians met the Dublin West TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, late last night to question him further about money he received from Mr Frank Dunlop.
The five-member Standards in Public Life Committee was angry that it had to wait until last night for its third meeting with Mr Lawlor before it could finalise its report.
Mr Lawlor was in the US visiting his son since last Thursday and returned to Dublin yesterday morning. He claimed that notice the committee wanted to interview him again reached his office only last Friday, when he was already out of the State.
Before last night's meeting, which started at 7.30 p.m. in Leinster House, Mr Lawlor told The Irish Times that he would continue to co-operate with the inquiry and would try to address all the issues.
Mr Lawlor said he saw no reason why he would not still be a member of the Fianna Fail Parliamentary party and the Fianna Fail party after the publication of the committee report, due on Wednesday.
It is understood the committee sought the third meeting with Mr Lawlor to ask him about outstanding issues, including the £38,000 cheque he says he got from Mr Dunlop for consultancy services.
Mr Dunlop told the Flood tribunal recently that he paid a "Mr Big" £40,000 for assistance in planning rezonings. Mr Lawlor has stated that he received £38,000 from Mr Dunlop, but for consultancy services.
It is understood that the committee asked Mr Lawlor last night about a company in which he has a third share based in the Czech Republic. The company, The Irish Consortium SRO, acquires commercial properties for upgrading in Prague, Brno and Plzen in Czechoslovakia, according to Mr Lawlor's declaration of interests.
The chairman of the investigating committee, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, said that while the report would contain recommendations, there would not be recommendations relating to the disciplining of any individuals.