The Dail is tonight expected to reject Opposition attempts to force publication of the Ansbacher names after three of the four independents who traditionally support the Government confirmed they would do so again.

Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Jackie Healy-Rae yesterday joined Ms Mildred Fox last night in confirming they would vote against a Fine Gael motion seeking to amend the Companies Act to allow for publication of the names.

Mr Tom Gildea, who also supports the Government in crucial votes, could not be contacted for comment yesterday but is also expected to vote against the Fine Gael motion.

The Government continued to insist yesterday that publication would hinder attempts to prosecute successfully anyone named in the report who was guilty of wrongdoing, and would be an offence under the Companies Act.

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, accused those seeking publication of the names of attempting to introduce "mob justice and lynch law".

The Taoiseach and Government spokesmen last night rejected allegations that anyone associated with the Government was responsible for leaking some of the names to newspapers.

Mr Ahern said: "I am satisfied the State has not breached any of its obligations under the Companies Act in any way. I am satisfied the Government has not leaked any information to the media."

Mr Ahern was responding to claims ail by the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, that there had been "selective and malevolent leaking" of names mentioned in the authorised officer's report. Referring to "the criminal offence of leaking this information in a selective way", he called on the Tanaiste to give a copy of the report to the Garda Commissioner to allow him investigate whether a criminal offence had taken place.

Asked last night whether she would do this, Ms Harney said she would consider it "if the need arises".

Fine Gael figures continued to insist that names of people linked to Fine Gael had been selectively leaked from the report.

However, Mr Ahern was careful not to confirm that the published names were accurate, saying "the Government is not going to lend credibility to any speculation in the press or elsewhere about the contents of the report. It would be wrong to confirm or deny any alleged leaks and I have no intention of so doing."

A Government spokesman also rejected a claim from the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, that "Government personnel are telling journalists and others in this House that they have copies of the report, none of whom is listed in the categories set out in Section 21 of the Companies Act".

They said they were unaware of anyone other than the Taoiseach and those listed in the Act as being entitled to receive the report as having received or seen the list of names in the report.

The Tanaiste said that "no advisers to the Government or any Minister received a copy of the report".

She pointed out that under law, a small number of specific individuals were entitled to copies of the report, but that she was also authorised to give copies to those whom she designates.

However, the Taoiseach was the only person to whom she had chosen to give it, apart from those named in the Companies Act.