Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds said outside the Court of Appeal in London yesterday that if he lost the appeal over the libel case it would cost him more than he earned in all his years in politics.
Mr Reynolds had been asked how much it would cost if he lost.
"I don't know because it is not over yet but it certainly looks like more than I earned in 21 years as a TD, Minister and Taoiseach," he commented.
When asked if he was confident of winning, he replied: "I would not be here if I didn't think I could win."
As a result of the libel case, Mr Reynolds was made liable for most of the costs - even though the article was found to be libellous - as his damages award of one penny did not meet the offer of £5,005 made by the newspaper.
At the end of the case in November 1996, it was estimated he would be liable for around £800,000. This could double if he loses the appeal.
A more immediate win, however, will be on his mind this weekend. Mr Reynolds will be staying in England to be joined by some of his family and they will be off to the Derby. He joked that he hoped he would be given the name of the winner by one of his Irish friends.
Also yesterday, Mr Reynolds said he thought it would be rather ironic if the fact that he was a chief architect of the peace process could be used to justify part of the case being made against him.
"I hope it does not succeed," he commented.
Mr Reynolds was referring to the case being made by the newspaper that the article came under qualified privilege because it was in the British public interest to be informed about what was happening, particularly as Mr Reynolds was a major player in the peace process.