The Government is determined to resist efforts by Fine Gael to change the terms of reference of the Moriarty tribunal unless a court decision in Mr Charles Haughey's legal challenge dictates otherwise.
As soon as he returns from a holiday abroad at the weekend, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is expected to inform the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, that the Government will not accept a Fine Gael amendment due to be tabled when the Dail resumes after the Christmas recess on January 28th.
The Fine Gael front bench yesterday issued a statement saying the party wanted to see a full and public investigation by the Moriarty tribunal of all irregularities in the operation and use of offshore accounts.
It stressed the motion is not confined to investigating procedures whereby Irish holders of Ansbacher accounts could have their money held offshore. "It also allows for investigation of individuals," the Fine Gael statement said.
However, a Labour Party spokesman last night asked if Fine Gael was now changing its position since its deputies abstained on a Labour motion seeking a full investigation of the Ansbacher depositors, including their identification, last September.
"We are happy to have discussions before the Dail resumes on January 28th with Fine Gael on the Dail's approach to the tribunal. We will also be raising the matter at a meeting of party whips shortly," the spokesman added.
The Fine Gael front bench says that if the Moriarty investigation uncovers irregularities that may have been used by other banks, "these should be identified by the tribunal and thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities"
Dismissing a Fine Gael proposal that the terms of reference be widened in order to deal with matters that might accrue from Mr Haughey's court action a Government source said:
"You cannot change the terms of reference until you know whether or not they need to be changed. If the Haughey challenge is successful, the Dail would have to change the terms. But until then nothing will happen."
Fine Gael has expressed deep concern that Mr Haughey's challenge could delay the public hearings by the tribunal. Because the tribunal was set up by the Dail and Seanad, the party says there should be an all-party approach.