The former assistant Dublin city and county manager, Mr George Redmond, will be under further pressure to make full disclosure about funds which he received during his term in office when he resumes giving evidence at the Flood tribunal today.
The tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Flood, is growing increasingly impatient with Mr Redmond and last Friday he described the former official's lack of memory as "almost unbelievable".
Meanwhile, the tribunal is understood to be investigating fresh allegations that a public official or councillor asked a woman for sexual favours in return for assistance on a planning matter.
RTE reported yesterday that the tribunal was in possession of a sworn statement from the woman, who claims the approach was made a number of years ago.
The tribunal is understood to have made contact with the woman, having come into possession of the information independently. The woman has since given a statement to the tribunal but she has indicated that she wishes to remain anonymous.
The tribunal is now said to be examining whether it can proceed with the matter while protecting the woman's identity, and it is seeking to establish whether the allegation falls within its terms of reference.
The terms state the tribunal can investigate any act associated with the planning process committed on or after June 20th 1985, which may in its opinion "amount to corruption, or which involve attempts to influence by threats or deception or inducement or otherwise to compromise the disinterested performance of public duties".
Today, the tribunal will resume its questioning of Mr Redmond, who has been warned he will face prosecution for obstructing the inquiry unless he changes his stance and makes a full and honest disclosure.
Mr Redmond last week admitted to lying to and withholding information from gardai, saying he still found it very difficult to disclose the identities of those people who gave him money.
He has disclosed a number of identities in writing. However, only limited information on the nature of payments has been forthcoming.
Among the payments revealed to date are a £15,000-a-year retainer from developer Mr Tom Brennan, two gifts of "a couple of hundred pounds" from the hotelier, the late Mr P.V. Doyle, and £5,000 from a garage-owner, Mr Brendan Fassnidge.
