Claims by Mr Ray Burke's legal team that he was being treated unfairly by the Flood tribunal were rejected by Mr Justice Flood yesterday. The chairman said he was satisfied that investigations into payments to Mr Burke and into his income were within the tribunal's terms of reference.
An issue concerning the tax amnesty was being heard in public - he had sought this infor mation from Mr Burke and was told it was none of his business. "Mr Burke has not provided the information sought to date and . . . has left the tribunal with no alternative but to deal with the matter at public hearing."
Mr Justice Flood said there was no question of bias against Mr Burke. "I have been given a mandate to discharge by the Oireachtas and I intend to discharge it. I wish to make it clear that I will not be deflected from that task by unfounded assertions of bias on my part." The tribunal also heard that an affidavit from former Government press secretary Mr P.J. Mara had been withdrawn and a more complete version would be submitted tomorrow.