Fianna Fáil faces the embarrassing prospect of witness appearances by the Taoiseach and six former Cabinet colleagues at the planning tribunal next month. Mr Ahern is one of nine leading party figures who have been called to give evidence before the tribunal in the first phase of its long-awaited investigations into the rezoning of Quarryvale in west Dublin, writes Paul Cullen
The politicians' evidence will follow that of the first witness, Luton-based property developer Mr Tom Gilmartin. He will repeat to the tribunal his allegations of sleaze involving party figures, dating from the time he was trying to develop Quarryvale and a second shopping development at Bachelor's Walk in 1989.
The good news for Fianna Fáil is that the controversial hearings are likely to be over well before local and European elections and the Dublin EU summit in June.
Even if the taking of evidence lasts longer than expected, the tribunal has promised to adjourn hearings of the module at the end of April, before the election campaigns begin in earnest.
Apart from Mr Ahern, those scheduled to give evidence next month are former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds, current Minister for Transport Mr Séamus Brennan, and former ministers Mr Ray Burke, Mr Ray MacSharry, Ms Mary O'Rourke and Mr Gerry Collins.
Two of Mr Ahern's closest constituency associates and friends, Mr Tim Collins and former councillor Mr Joe Burke, have also been called to give evidence about their contacts with Mr Gilmartin. More names will be added to the initial witness list over the next fortnight.
The evidence in this module will chart Mr Gilmartin's return to Ireland to lobby politicians, and the demands for money that he says were made. Most attention will focus on the £50,000 payment he made to former minister Mr Pádraig Flynn in June 1989. Mr Gilmartin says the money was intended for Fianna Fáil but it now appears the sum ended up in bogus non-resident accounts operated by the politician and his wife.
An alleged meeting between Mr Gilmartin and a number of Cabinet ministers in Fianna Fáil offices in Leinster House on February 1st, 1989, will also come under scrutiny. After the meeting, Mr Gilmartin claims he was approached by a man in the corridor and asked to deposit £5 million in a bank account in the Isle of Man. He never paid the money, and says his projects started to go awry after this incident.
According to Mr Gilmartin, those at the meeting included Mr Haughey, Mr Ahern, Mr Flynn, Mr Burke, Mr Brennan and the late Mr Brian Lenihan.
Mr Ahern says he has no recollection of such a meeting.