Lawlor's solicitors wrote 'more than 270 letters'

Liam Lawlor's solicitors wrote in excess of 270 letters to his contacts in an effort to uncover details of his business affairs, the Dublin West TD has told the Dail.

"Those letters went out to banks, building societies, friends, work colleagues and everyone else," said Deputy Lawlor.

"Responses came back and were given to the Flood Tribunal in correspondence.

"I thought the priority of the Tribunal should be where the money came from - not what accounts it went into."

Mr Lawlor later reduced the Dail chamber to laughter, when he joked about his son's work in the US.

"My son has been in the States for four or five years, working with a well-known bank which is in the headlines at the moment. I hope I won't be blamed for that!" he said to laughter in the House.

He also said he had been "incredibly impressed" by Justice Flood's capacity to retain and question information.

Liam Lawlor has until April 9 to provide the information required by the Flood Tribunal.

"I have already been found to be corrupt by the media. I don't know how. I sincerely hope from (the media's) point of view that Chairman Flood finds that I am (corrupt) because if I'm not, there will be another day to be answered.

"I feel deeply wounded by what has happened. I was non-compliant (with the Flood Tribunal) in an unintentional way."