Lawyers for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have said the Mahon tribunal has no jurisdiction to continue its inquiry into his personal finances.
Senior counsel Conor Maguire today told the tribunal that it must stop its inquiries into Mr Ahern's financial affairs following a recent Supreme Court ruling in the Fitzwilton case. He claims the matters fall outside the tribunal's terms of reference.
The Taoiseach is scheduled to appear before the tribunal on July 26 th. The tribunal is currently investigating bank lodgements made on the Taoiseach's behalf in the early 1990s.
His former partner Celia Larkin and a number of AIB bank officials are also set to give evidence in the last week of July.
The tribunal is continuing to hear evidence from Luton-based developer Tom Gilmartin in the so-called Quarryvale II module of its inquiries.
Mr Maguire said today Mr Ahern's evidence should be deferred until Mr Gililmartin's evidence is concluded and until after he has been cross-examined by lawyers acting for all those against whom he has made allegations
The tribunal will give its decision on Monday.