An appeal by Fianna Fáil TD Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn arising out of her libel action against RTÉ, journalist Charlie Bird and retired farmer Mr James Howard will be heard by the Supreme Court on February 18th.
When the case was mentioned at the Supreme Court today, the judges were told submissions in relation to the appeal had now been lodged.
Ms Cooper-Flynn had brought proceedings in the High Court claiming she was libelled in a series of RTÉ television and radio broadcasts.
In March 2001, after a 28-day hearing, the jury found the defendants had not proved that Ms Cooper-Flynn had induced Mr Howard to evade his lawful obligation to pay tax by not availing of the tax amnesty.
They found that the defendants had proved she advised or encouraged other persons to evade tax and also decided that Ms Cooper-Flynn's reputation had not suffered as a result of the publication relating to Mr Howard, formerly of Ardcath, Co Meath, and later of Drogheda, Co Louth.
There was no award of damages.
In April 2001, Ms Cooper-Flynn was ordered to pay the entire costs of the hearing, estimated at some £2 million. A stay was placed on the costs order pending the outcome of the appeal to the Supreme Court.