Political party leaders have urged the Moriarty tribunal's chairman to complete his final report as soon as possible.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen met with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, Green Party leader John Gormley and Sinn Féin’s Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at Government Buildings this afternoon to brief them on the meeting he had with Mr Justice Moriarty last Thursday regarding the tribunal.
The meeting of party leaders was sought by Mr Kenny last Tuesday when it emerged that Mr Justice Michael Moriarty had written to the Oireachtas indicating his preference for breaking his final report into two sections.
In the letter, the judge said that due to recent developments, he was giving consideration to breaking his final report in two and publishing a portion of it as a separate volume in the near future.
Mr Justice Moriarty said he was considering an early report on the “money trail” involving former minister Michael Lowry, but the investigation into the awarding of the first mobile phone licence would be published at a later stage.
Opposition leaders have expressed concerns about the report being published in separate volumes saying that a final report should be published and the work of the tribunal wrapped up.
Prior to today the Taoiseach had not given any indication of what he felt about the judge’s letter. However, a statement issued this afternoon said that all party leaders were "anxious" that the tribunal's work be completed as soon as possible consistent with its mandate".