The civil servant investigating the 'cigars and brandy' controversy within the Department of Transport has told Aer Rianta she wants answers to her queries by close of business tomorrow, ireland.comhas learned.
Secretary General of the Department, Ms Julie O'Neill, is understood to have written to Aer Rianta demanding an answer to questions she put to the company last Monday.
She is thought to have expressed disappointment that her inquiry is being held up by Aer Rianta. The Department hoped to publish their findings today, but wanted to wait for Aer Rianta to finish its inquiries.
This evening, it emerged the company was deferring the completion of its report until next week. The Department have not yet decided whether they will publish their report as soon as they receive answers from Aer Rianta.
Political sources are confident Ms O'Neill's report will say the Minister of Transport, Mr Seamus Brennan, and officials within her Department were not party to any wrongdoing.