Tribunal to proceed with inquiry into Taoiseach's finances

The Mahon Tribunal has decided to go ahead with its investigation into the Taoiseach's finances.

Judge Alan Mahon has dismissed a submission from the Taoiseach's legal team asking for Bertie Ahern's hearings at the inquiry, scheduled for next week, to be cancelled.

The judge says that matters concerning the Taoiseach's affairs merit public inquiry, and flow directly from the tribunal's investigations into the rezoning of land at Quarryvale in west Dublin, where the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre now stands.

Judge Mahon has rejected suggestions that the investigations into the Taoiseach's affairs are disproportionate.