PRODUCING a mouse could be an important development in Irish political life. It may not be what was initially expected of Judge J.G. Buchanan's inquiry into the Dunnes Stores controversy. But mice have been known to frighten elephants.
It was designed to cut through the wild rumours and innuendo poisoning public life; to establish whether the infamous "100 names" of politicians-on-the-take existed, and to set the problem in context.
The job entrusted to Judge Buchanan was simple: trawl through a Price Waterhouse report on "irregular payments" made to politicians, public servants and their families by Mr Ben Dunne; establish if the money was received by the named individuals and for what purpose; and report to the Dail.
That was to be the first step.
The second was to involve a further investigation by the Dail Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The Government left open the option of establishing a sworn judicial inquiry, as Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats demanded that it go the whole way.
By last night, it looked as if Judge Buchanan's work had cleared sufficient ground to allow the Government to set terms of reference for a sworn inquiry, without the danger of incurring the expense of another beef tribunal. It had also given many Leinster House politicians reason for not-so-quiet satisfaction. The meagre findings of the Buchanan report were seen as vindication of politicians as a group, and as egg on the face of troublesome journalists.
Details of Mr Lowry's affairs, already in the public domain, had been outlined along with a £20,000 political donation to Mrs Maureen Haughey, wife of the former Taoiseach. After all the media huffing and puffing, where was the beef?
Even as they felt vindicated, the Dail sub-committee was seeking legal advice on the status of Mr Ben Dunne's sworn affidavit in which he was said to have named a senior Fianna Fail politician; on how it might investigate the ownership of certain bank accounts; and whether it would be able to ensure the attendance of Mr Dunne at its inquiry.
Michael Bell and his sub-committee were arranging to meet next Tuesday. The Government was reviewing the situation after being forced to abandon plans to rush the Compellability, Immunities and Privileges of Witnesses Bill through the Dail this week.
With a toothless Dail sub-committee on offer to represent the public interest, the Government drifted towards a sworn inquiry.
But John Bruton was in no hurry to make life easy for Bertie Ahern. The Fianna Fail leader might be anxious to wash whatever dirty linen was hanging around, but did Fine Gael have to supply the washing machine? Especially with a general election coming up?
Only four names were published in the Buchanan report dealing with elected representatives and their relations: Michael Lowry's and three members of the Haughey family. But it was the contents of Ben Dunne's sworn affidavit and rumours of a £1.1 million payment to a former Fianna Fail minister that gave Mr Ahern goose pimples. He wanted the whole thing over and done with before the election.
"I will not participate in a process that will reveal good news or bad news in a drip-drip effect. I want to know the truth ... I am concerned about the findings being drip-fed. That doesn't suit my party or me,"
he declared.
Mary Harney backed the Fianna Fail demand. John Bruton agreed it was "a matter of considerable importance that the cloud which hung over public life should be quickly dissipated".
The Buchanan report had provided the raw material for an inquiry and the Government would consider it "promptly". But the Taoiseach let them sweat a little: "We should be sufficiently deliberate in choosing the methodology to ensure that it works," he said.
As the political skirmishing continued, Government sources indicated that the terms of a judicial inquiry might be ready for next week. Access to bank accounts and legal documents would seem to be of immense importance along with the ability to summon and question hostile witnesses.
By the time it comes to sit, Judge Buchanan may have produced his second report on payments to public servants. At that stage, there may be a bit more meat on the bone.
As things stand, Judge Buchanan was unable to establish the beneficiaries of £3.5 million of the £5.6 million in irregular payments examined in the Price Waterhouse report. It was money made out to cash or paid into credit card accounts.
A further £1 million was paid to persons who were "not relevant", and slightly more than that was paid to "identified or alleged beneficiaries", who were not named.
Ben Dunne declined to provide details of his controversial affidavit on the grounds that this would constitute contempt of court. It was an explanation Judge Buchanan recorded without comment. But when Mr Dunne also suggested the company would be able to provide the judge with all information relating to the Price Waterhouse report, he had had enough. The company was quoted as describing this comment as, "totally inaccurate and misleading".
Apart from the existence of his sworn affidavit, Mr Dunne is the crucial witness in all of this. Without his co-operation and the production of fresh evidence, the inquiry could run into sand.
Some politicians didn't seem to be particularly upset. After the friction of recent weeks, a "them-and-us" attitude is growing at Leinster House. Certain opposition politicians are already dismissing the affair as "a bottle of smoke" and, on all sides, the question is being posed as to whether the media got it wrong.