The former Fianna Fail TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, is expected to appear before the Flood tribunal today, two weeks after the failure of his challenge to the tribunal in the High Court. Today is the last day available for Mr Lawlor to fulfil the High Court's order for him to appear before Mr Justice Flood and to produce an affidavit listing the financial documents he intends to furnish to the tribunal.
If Mr Lawlor fails to appear, he could face imprisonment for being in contempt of court.
His appearance today is expected to be brief. The tribunal will need time to examine the documents Mr Lawlor produces. In addition, lawyers for Mr Lawlor are expected to seek an adjournment in order to appeal the Dublin West TD's case to the Supreme Court.
Mr Lawlor had failed to appear before the tribunal when ordered to do so. The documents sought by the tribunal relate to any accounts held by Mr Lawlor in any financial institution within or outside the State, either in his own name or jointly held, into which he made lodgements of money or into which lodgements were made for his benefit.
When Mr Lawlor failed to produce the records and documents sought by the tribunal by June 23rd last, two summonses were issued by the tribunal for him to appear before it on October 10th.
Last month, the High Court found the tribunal chairman's order for Mr Lawlor to appear before the tribunal was valid. Costs of the proceedings were awarded to the tribunal.
Following the High Court ruling, Mr Lawlor applied to Mr Justice Smyth to put a stay on his order directing that the TD appear before the tribunal within two weeks pending his appeal to the Supreme Court. This was rejected by the judge, who said Mr Lawlor could apply to the Supreme Court for a stay.
After hearing submissions, the Supreme Court extended the deadline for the documents to be produced to today.
