RTÉ has confirmed that Mayo TD Beverley Flynn is in the process of paying the €1.25 million she owes the broadcaster after her failed libel action against it.
In a statement, RTÉ said it could confirm "that solicitors for Beverley Flynn have been in communication with RTÉ's solicitors and payment is in the process of being made electronically".
In July the controversial TD offered to pay RTÉ €1.225 million to settle the €2.848 million she owed after her unsuccessful 2001 High Court libel action against the station over its reports that she encouraged people to evade tax while working for National Irish Bank.
In 2004, she failed in her appeal to the Supreme Court against that decision. Both courts awarded costs against Ms Flynn which were certified in September 2005 by the High Court Taxing Master.
Ms Flynn made the settlement with RTÉ when the broadcaster initiated bankruptcy proceedings against her after she had failed to pay any of the total bill of €2,848,088.
Tomorrow was the deadline for the payment of the monies owed to RTÉ. It is expected that the bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the broadcaster will be struck out at a court hearing on October 8th, paving the way for her return to the Fianna Fáil party.
Under the Electoral Act 1992 Ms Flynn would have been prevented from being a member of the Dáil if she was declared bankrupt.
In June Ms Flynn began a constitutional challenge against the Act. The challenge was aborted when she agreed the settlement with RTÉ.
Following her failed libel action she was expelled from Fianna Fáil, however, there is speculation that she will be welcomed back into the party and may be even given a junior ministry in the future now that she has settled her debt with RTÉ.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has strongly signalled that Ms Flynn will hold at least a junior ministry in the current Government.
Ms Flynn, a daughter of the former Fianna Fáil TD and EU Commissioner Pádraig Flynn, has also said she believes Fianna Fáil to be her natural political home.