The chairman of the rail signalling inquiry has warned he will not tolerate attempts to question the authority of his sub-committee.
Mr Sean Doherty TD made his remarks at the start of yesterday's hearing in apparent reference to comments made last week by former Esat chairman, Mr Denis O'Brien, that he was "unfit" to lead the inquiry.
He also said he did not want to hear witnesses complain about being called to appear before the inquiry at short notice.
This was understood to refer to Mr O'Brien and former CI╔ head of programmes and projects, Dr Ray Byrne, who have both protested at late changes to the schedule. The chairman also warned he would not entertain interruptions by lawyers.
His comments followed the previous afternoon's attempt by a barrister to prevent certain questions being put to former Esat director and one-time CI╔ consultant, Mr Leslie Buckley.
Mr Paul Gardiner SC, had continued to address an empty table after the subcommittee adjourned the hearing.
Following Mr Doherty's remarks yesterday, Mr Gardiner said he wanted to continue his address and until he had his say, his client, Mr Buckley, who was scheduled to give evidence first, would not be co-operating.
A tense exchange followed and Mr Buckley was temporarily excused.
He returned later after reaching agreement with the inquiry's legal team to be allowed have Mr Gardiner sit with him so that he could consult with him before answering questions.
Mr Buckley said that although he was chief negotiator for Esat on the deal to create a telephone network by laying cables along CI╔'s railway lines, he did not know CI╔ needed legal clearance by way of a statutory instrument to get involved in the venture.
Heads of agreement on the deal were signed in June 1997 and Mr Buckley only found out about the statutory instrument in July. He was "quite dismayed" when he heard. He was also unhappy that it took 12 months to conclude a contract with CI╔ and a further nine months to secure the instrument.
In the meantime, Esat had begun laying cables on the understanding that they risked losing them if the deal was not successfully concluded.
Former CI╔ chairman, Mr Brian Joyce, said that while he knew the phone network could not be activated without a statutory instrument, there was nothing to stop it being installed.