THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided more than two years ago that no prosecution would be brought against Frank Connolly over allegations he travelled to Colombia on a false passport, the Centre for Public Inquiry (CPI) claimed last night.

The Centre for Public Inquiry (CPI) tonight accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of undermining the authority and independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

JMCC Holdings, the engineering company at the centre of the planning corruption tribunal, paid out €16.3 million dividends to its shareholders last year.

RETIRED High Court Judge Fergus Flood last night pleaded with the Government to scrap the Disability Bill, which is due to complete all stages through the Dáil today.

FINE GAEL and Labour are expected to pledge tonight that they will "fundamentally alter" the Government's Disability Bill if returned to power.

TOM and MICHAEL BAILEY, the controversial builders criticised at the Planning Tribunal, have applied to re-register their company as unlimited.

A new privately-funded watchdog has been set up to investigate corruption in Irish political, public and corporate life.

Judge Alan Mahon has requested the Government to change the terms of reference of the planning tribunal, it emerged tonight.

The Planning Tribunal’s latest interim report has found that former council official George Redmond received corrupt payments from two property developers.

The Planning Tribunal’s report into the activities of George Redmond will reportedly be published later today.

THIS morning’s revelations that Judge Alan Mahon made a £20,000 tax settlement with the Revenue Commissioners over 10 years ago will be acutely embarrassing for the new chairman of the Mahon Tribunal.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to take personal responsibility for the resignation of Justice Mary Laffoy as chair of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to face further questions about the Flood Tribunal fiasco in the Dáil today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejected suggestions that the resignation of the chairman of the Flood Tribunal was sparked by the Government's negative attitude to the tribunal.

The Taoiseach has confirmed that Mr Justice Fergus Flood has resigned fully from the Flood Tribunal.

The Taoiseach says he is not prepared to rush into a decision on the future of the Flood Tribunal.

Former Government press secretary, Frank Dunlop, makes a return to the witness stand today, when he resumes giving testimony at the planning and payments tribunal.

The Flood Tribunal is to consider its options following the failure of businessman Jim Kennedy to show up at the inquiry today.

FORMER Fine Gael TD and senator Liam Cosgrave took almost two years to make a full reply to the Flood Tribunal about allegations he received up to £19,000 from lobbyist Frank Dunlop and only made an effort when issued with a witness summons.

The Government has appointed three new judges to the Flood Tribunal, eight months after first announcing the appointments.

WATERSTONES revealed yesterday its Dawson Street outlet sold just one copy of Mick McCarthy’s World Cup diary on the day the book was launched.

The Taoiseach's welcome and enthusiam for Judge Fergus Flood's report is, I feel, as grossly exaggerated as the rumours of Mark Twain's death.

The Government chief whip, Mary Hanafin believes that PJ Mara will not be Director of Elections ever again for Fianna Fail.

The Government tonight faced calls for a parliamentary debate after a tribunal found a former minister received a number of corrupt payments.

The Green Party has called for the resignation of Fianna Fail spin doctor PJ Mara after the Flood Tribunal’s interim report said he “failed to co-operate” with the inquiry.

The interim report of the Flood Tribunal has concluded that former Fianna Fail TD Ray Burke was engaged in corrupt activity while serving as a Government minister in the late 1980s.

The Government has confirmed the first report of the Flood Tribunal on planning and payments will be revealed at 2pm today.

The first report of the Flood Tribunal on planning and payments is due to be published today.

The Flood Tribunal has denied it sent a written request to Tanaiste Mary Harney to disclose her financial records.

The Government is insisting that the legislation to allow extra judges join the Flood Tribunal will be passed before Easter.

Chairman of the Flood Tribunal Justice Fergus Flood has written a letter to the clerk of the Dáil to complain about the Government’s delay in appointing two new judges to the tribunal team.

The Government has appointed three extra lawyers to the Flood Tribunal’s inquiry team, a year after tribunal chairman Justice Fergus Flood requested the extra help.

The High Court has temporarily freed Liam Lawlor from prison so he can defend himself during a Dail debate today.

Independent TD for Dublin West, Liam Lawlor, has been given a further seven days to avoid a possible return to jail.

Independent TD for Dublin West, Liam Lawlor, will appear in the High Court once again this morning.

Disgraced Dublin west TD Liam Lawlor has been summoned to reappear at the High Court on Monday to answer questions about his ongoing dealings with the Flood Tribunal.

The Supreme Court will give a decision on the direction of costs incurred by Liam Lawlor in his appeal against the severity of the sentence imposed on him for contempt.

There was uproar in the Dail today when Fine Gael's justice spokesman Alan Shatter was ruled out of order after trying to raise the re-imprisonment of Dublin West TD Liam Lawlor.

The Government has revealed that it is unable to appoint extra members to the Flood Tribunal and has now asked the opposition parties if they can find someone willing to take on the job.

The Flood Tribunal was adjourned this morning as a mark of respect for those who died in yesterday’s tragedies in the United States.

Former Government press secretary, P.J. Mara has told Justice Fergus Flood that he forgot to tell the Planning and Payments Tribunal about his offshore accounts.

Liam Lawlor's lawyer will return to the High Court this morning as the embattled Dublin TD struggles to prove that he has complied with the Flood Tribunal.

Liam Lawlor TD has informed the High Court that he has fully co-operated with the Flood Tribunal.

Lawyers for Liam Lawlor TD are expected to tell the High Court today why certain requested documents have not been presented to the Flood Tribunal.