The chairman of the Flood tribunal has warned Mr Liam Lawlor TD about the quality of his evidence. He said he might "be forced to take certain decisions" if his evidence did not improve.
Giving false information or obstructing a tribunal would result in up to two years' imprisonment and/or a fine of £10,000, Mr Justice Flood said as he read out the law governing tribunals of inquiry.
"I have a degree of unease about the quality of your evidence and the frankness of your evidence to date. Now I'm going no further than unease. So I suggest you carefully reflect on the evidence you have given and the evidence you are likely to give to this tribunal."
Mr Lawlor had resisted questions about his involvement with companies in the Czech Republic and a £600,000 loan he received from a Czech-based company. He suggested the tribunal go to the High Court to seek terms of reference which would cover this.
"I wasn't aware this tribunal was looking into the Czech Republic . . . maybe you'd like to state a case to the High Court that it is within your terms of reference and then I can give you everything that I have."
Mr John Gallagher SC, for the tribunal, said there was no documentation regarding the £600,000 loan. "How would you have it if I didn't think it was relevant?" Mr Lawlor replied.
The following exchange then took place after Mr Gallagher asked Mr Lawlor if he had a share in the profits of the Czech consultancy group, Irish Consortium.
Mr Lawlor: "It's none of your business and I'm not answering you . . . It has nothing to do with this tribunal and I don't see the purpose in wasting the time and money of the taxpayer in dealing with the Czech Republic."
Mr Justice Flood: "Mr Lawlor, I am the person who determines whether a matter is relevant or not. It is not your function to make that statement. I am now directing you to answer the question."
Mr Lawlor: "I'm entitled to an opinion on the terms of reference of this tribunal."
Mr Justice Flood: "You are not."
Mr Lawlor: "And why did Justice Kearns in the Supreme Court decide that I was?"
Mr Justice Flood: "You are not entitled to express your opinion. This matter has been determined by the High Court and the Supreme Court and it is not open to further discussion."