The Mahon tribunal had initially scheduled the Taoiseach to give evidence on Monday of this week, the same day as Mrs Mary O'Rourke and a number of Ministers alleged by Mr Gilmartin to have been at the 1989 meeting in Leinster House at the centre of Mr Gilmartin's evidence.
The Taoiseach's spokeswoman said last night that Mr Ahern's counsel had told the tribunal yesterday week, Tuesday, March 30th, that he would not be available on Monday this week, the day he was scheduled to appear. This was due to EU business.
The Taoiseach's counsel also told the tribunal that day that his preference was to give evidence when the cross-examination of Mr Gilmartin had concluded. The tribunal told Mr Ahern's counsel that Mr Gilmartin was expected to be finished before tomorrow, and it was agreed that Mr Ahern would give evidence this morning.
The following day, Wednesday, March 31st, Mr Ahern's spokeswoman said he had not yet received formal notification of his appearance. She said: "The Taoiseach is very much looking forward to appearing and giving his evidence." However last Friday afternoon the tribunal told Mr Ahern's counsel that they did not after all expect Mr Gilmartin's cross-examination to be finished before tomorrow.
Last Friday evening the tribunal posted its timetable for this week on its website. It did not include any slot for the Taoiseach.
On Monday the Taoiseach's spokeswoman said Mr Ahern was "extremely disappointed that he will not have an opportunity before the Easter break" to give his evidence. "It does have implications because the tribunal has said he will not appear before April 21st. It is totally non-specific about when he might appear. If it drifts on into May or even June it will make things extremely difficult because of his international commitments."
Judge Alan Mahon said at the tribunal yesterday that there was a standing offer to Mr Ahern to give evidence today which was still available. Judge Mahon also said he believed Mr Maguire was "aware that the offer was there in any event for some days past".
Mr Maguire said he had not been aware of the offer last Friday when a decision on the time Mr Ahern would be giving evidence was made. He said he would take it up.
Judge Mahon said he wanted to "make it clear it was not our decision to postpone Mr Ahern's attendance as has been reported, possibly inaccurately, in at least one of the newspapers".