The chairman of the tribunal, Mr Justice Moriarty, said the tribunal is still investigating some matters to do with the former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey.
Mr Justice Moriarty also acknowledged that the aggregate duration of the tribunal since it began substantive hearings in early 1999 had very considerably exceeded what he had envisaged.
He made a number of opening remarks as the tribunal resumed public hearings and outlined its programme of work for the remaining period. The tribunal last sat in public in April.
Mr Justice Moriarty said that since April the tribunal had been involved in daily meetings and correspondence in relation to a number of matters. The issue of public hearings into the Doncaster issue had been the main item of attention.
There was also some "further preliminary inquiries" being made into a limited number of issues to do with the former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, as well as some general additional tasks as set out in the tribunal's terms of reference. The tribunal would be taking into account Mr Haughey's age, state of health, and the length of time he had now been the subject of the tribunal's inquiries.
It had been intended to deal with the Doncaster issue in July but the High Court judgement in relation to Mr Owen O'Callaghan and the Mahon tribunal had created additional procedural requirements and the view was taken to defer the redemption of the sittings, the chairman said.
He had no doubt but that it was in the public interest to deal with the remaining matters before the tribunal and to report with the maximum expedition possible. However he still had to have regard to the tribunal's terms of reference and its duty of fairness.
He said he reserved to himself the discretion to abridge or not follow up, particular potential avenues of inquiry.
"If every such potential avenue of inquiry were to be embarked upon, the tribunal could undoubtedly be delayed by a further lengthy period. I am in no doubt that this must not happen. Accordingly I intend and expect that there will be maximum co-operation of interested persons and their advisers afforded with a view to bringing the tribunal to a conclusion," he said.
Matters left to be considered by the tribunal included the Doncaster issue; some remaining issues to do with the GSM licence competition; some matters to do with Mr Lowry's tax affairs; further evidence from Mr Denis O'Brien; some issues to do with Mr Haughey; and submissions concerning evidence heard and matters itemised in the tribunal's terms of reference.
There was a possibility that the mobile phone competition expert Mr Michael Andersen might be attending to give evidence in relation to the mobile phone licence issue. Also, an expert report might be commissioned on the topic.
Following the opening statement from Mr Jerry Healy SC, for the tribunal, on the Doncaster issue, Mr Healy said that the accountant Mr Denis O'Connor would not now be able to give evidence today.
