Communications consultant Monica Leech has agreed to give documents to two newspaper organisations relating to the work done by her for Minister Martin Cullen, the High Court has heard.
The newspapers had sought documents in advance of Ms Leech's action alleging libel in a number of articles published in the Evening Heraldand Ireland on Sunday.
Mr Justice Brian McGovern was told today by counsel for the newspapers that motions for discovery brought by Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd and Associated Newspapers against Ms Leech had been resolved and a consent order could be made in the matter.
Ms Leech's side is to make discovery of all but two categories of documents that had initially been sought, the judge was told. Those two categories related to documents regarding her business accounts and media articles.
The newspapers will receive all documents relating to any voluntary work or paid work carried out by Ms Leech for Mr Cullen prior to her appointment as consultant to the Office of Public Works, or during the period she or her company acted as consultant to the Government department.
They will also get documents submitted by Ms Leech to Mr Dermot Quigley, who was appointed by the Taoiseach to look in to the matter of the awarding of contracts to Ms Leech and her company, and documents relating to the foreign trips attended by Ms Leech on behalf of the Department, the OPW or Mr Cullen.
Ms Leech has sued Independent Newspapers Ireland Ltd as a result of a number of articles in the Evening Heraldnewspaper in November and December 2004. Her action against Associated Newspapers relates to articles in Ireland on Sundayin November and December 2004 and dates in 2005.
The newspapers deny the articles concerned defamed Ms Leech.