THE controversial Price Waterhouse report is expected to be given to Judge Gerard Buchanan, a retired judge of the Circuit Court around midday today.
Final details of the negotiations between the Government and Dunnes Stores on the handing over and treatment of the reports are due to be concluded this morning.
As further details of donations by Dunnes to politicians emerged over the weekend - bringing the total so far to between £220,000 and £221,000 - it was disclosed that the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton consulted directly with Mr Ben Dunne and Mrs Margaret Heffernan before issuing an early morning statement last week that the Fine Gael party had received £180,000 in three payments between 1987 and 1992.
Since the donations were sought and given on a private basis, Fine Gael sources said Mr Bruton felt obliged to consult with both sides of the Dunne family before issuing his statement. This was one of the reasons cited by Fine Gael for the timing of the statement - just after midnight on Wednesday and just a few hours after the party had insisted such transactions were confidential.
The Price Waterhouse report is due to be given by Dunnes, in a sealed envelope, to the Secretary to the Government, Mr Frank Murray, this morning. He will pass it on unopened to Judge Buchanan, who will extract details of "payments made to or transactions entered into by elected representatives, holders of public office, and members of the public service".
Under terms of reference agreed by the three coalition leaders at the weekend, "those named will have an opportunity to explain and clarify the basis of the payments or transactions" before their names are given to the Dail Committee on Procedures and Privileges (CPP).
Judge Buchanan will write to relevant individuals mentioned in the report. When he has considered their replies, he will forward a list of names to the CPP.
It is envisaged that the CPP will set up a public sub committee of inquiry similar to the one under Mr Dan Wallace, TD, established by the Select Committee on Legislation and Security to hear evidence on the 1994 collapse of the Fianna Fail Labour Government.
The Government's approach has been severely criticised by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, and the Progressive Democrats.
Citing legal and constitutional difficulties, a Fianna Fail spokesman added: "At least a tribunal would be a basis for getting the truth, based on the Constitution."
But he would not say whether Fianna Fail will support the motion from the PDs for a tribunal of inquiry, to be proposed in Private Members Time tomorrow night. "We will look at the PD motion, which has some merits, and may put amendments." The Fianna Fail front bench will discuss parliamentary strategy tomorrow morning.
A PD spokeswoman said: "A tribunal of inquiry along the lines proposed in our motion is the speediest and most economic method of uncovering the full truth in this affair."
The Fianna Fail law reform spokesman, Mr Willie O'Dea, said money from Dunnes had given certain politicians "a competitive advantage over their opponents" and constituted "an unwarranted interference in the political process". His Fine Gael opponent in Limerick East, Mr Michael Noonan, received £3,000 from Dunnes in the 1992 general election.
The Green Party finance spokesman, Mr Dan Boyle, said the inquiry "should be broadened into a wide ranging investigation of all political donations" over the past 10 years.