Esat Digifone has categorically denied that the former supermarket tycoon Mr Ben Dunne has any links with the company.
A spokesman said last night that Mr Dunne does not have and never had "any shareholding or interest in any way" in Esat Digifone. She added that this had been confirmed by all shareholders in the company.
Esat's denial follows questions in the Dail yesterday. The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, raised the issue, asking the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, if Mr Dunne was involved.
Yesterday a spokesman for the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications said the Esat consortium comprised Telenor (40 per cent), Esat Telecom Holdings (40 per cent) and International Investments and Underwriting nominees (20 per cent).
The spokesman said it had been "fully certified" to Department that IIU nominees was 100 per cent owned by the financier Mr Dermot Desmond.