whether the Republic's tax authorities were properly and timely informed of the existence of various payments and gifts to Messrs Haughey and Lowry.
The sole member of the Tribunal is the Honourable Justice Michael Moriarty. The Tribunal's terms of reference were issued by TaoiseachBertie Ahern on 26 September1997. The Tribunal sat for the first time on 31 October1997 but did not hear its first witness until 28 January1999. As of September 2004, the Tribunal has sat on 286 days; the last sitting day was 2 March2004 and further sittings have been suspended pending a High Court hearing.
Earlier, the Tribunal heard that as early as 1976 the Central Bank was aware of the existence of the Ansbacher accounts.
The Tribunal heard how, after two onsite inspections of the Guinness and Mahon bank which controlled Ansbacher in the late seventies, the Bank said it was concerned by the offshore activities.
During the morning session, the Chairman of the MoriartyTribunal, Mr Justice Moriarty, announced a widening of the terms of reference of the Tribunal, in relation to investigations into the Ansbacher accounts.
The MoriartyTribunal was established by a resolution of this House adopted on 11 September and adopted by the Seanad on 18 September.
The MoriartyTribunal was established to investigate the definite matters of urgent public importance specified in the resolution passed by both Houses.
Furthermore, a decision to establish a tribunal of inquiry or to vary the terms of reference of an already established tribunal is not a decision to be taken lightly.
Feeds |
Contact