Application rejected for Tribunal to stand down

An application for the Planning and Payments tribunal to stand down has been rejected by Justice Flood.

Legal counsel, Michael O'Higgins, for former Fine Gael Senator, Liam Cosgrave, claimed last week that his client's reputation had suffered because of lies told by Frank Dunlop at the tribunal 3 years ago.

Mr O'Higgins had asked for the Tribunal to refer Mr Dunlop's conflicting evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He had also claimed that the Tribunal had failed to properly cross-examine Frank Dunlop.

In his response today Justice Flood made it clear that this was a Tribunal and not a court of law.

He said counsel for Liam Cosgrave would get it's opportunity to cross examine Frank Dunlop in due course.