The former Government adviser Monica Leech is listed to begin her libel action against RTÉ this morning at the High Court.
Ms Leech has claimed her business reputation was severely damaged by remarks made by a caller to Joe Duffy's Liveline programme in December 2004.
The remarks, made by Ronan Petit, a caller from Cork, were during the course of a discussion about Ms Leech's business relationship with Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.
Ms Leech was appointed as a consultant to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in November 2001 when Mr Cullen was minister for the environment. She subsequently worked as a communications adviser to Mr Cullen.
Two separate investigations cleared Mr Cullen of any wrong-doing in her appointment.
The case began in November 2005 when RTÉ were given three weeks to file a defence to proceedings.
Ms Leech, a communications consultant of South Parade, Waterford, is seeking damages including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for libel along with special damages including loss of earnings.
The case before Mr Justice Peter Charleton is expected to last four days.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/365cc36e-0bb8-4fb2-871b-ed273b2b038f.png)