Two committees of the Oireachtas were granted legal representation at the Morris tribunal today to defend the right of TDs and Senators to protect their sources.
Senator Jim Higgins of Fine Gael and Labour TD Mr Brendan Howlin, have been ordered by the tribunal to hand over telephone and fax records of contacts with anonymous sources.
As former justice spokesmen for Fine Gael and Labour respectively, Senator Higgins and Mr Howlin were confidentially informed of allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal, and passed on this information to the then minister for justice, Mr John O'Donoghue.
The two politicians have refused to reveal their sources for the information.
Yesterday, Mr Brian Murray SC for the Dáil and Seanad Committees on Procedures and Privileges requested limited representation in connection with the applications for discovery.
He said his clients had a long term and particular interest in assisting the tribunal, and were "extremely anxious" not to impede or delay it in any way.
However, he said, there was a question over the "discoverability" of papers and records of members of the Oireachtas which the tribunal would have to address.