Tribunal to consider restricting media

The planning tribunal is to hold a public sitting next week to consider a proposed order by the chairman, Mr Justice Flood, which would ban the media from publishing confidential statements relating to the tribunal's work.

The main daily and Sunday newspapers and broadcasting organisations are expected to attend the hearing, which has been prompted by Mr Justice Flood's desire to stem the flow of newspaper leaks from the tribunal in recent weeks.

However, media organisations are expected to resist any move by the tribunal which would interfere with press freedoms.

Mr Justice Flood had written to media organisations earlier in the week seeking a written undertaking that they would not publish any confidential material provided to or circulated by the tribunal.

He set a deadline for responses of noon yesterday.

Legal representatives of The Irish Times and Independent Newspapers were in consultation with the tribunal yesterday in response to the chairman's move. Both newspaper companies are believed to have sought more time to consider the judge's request, and asked that the matter be dealt with at a public sitting of the tribunal. Mr Justice Flood agreed to this request.

Next Wednesday's hearing in Dublin Castle will also hear applications from newspapers and broadcast media for legal representation at the tribunal.

Mr Justice Flood's letter was sent to newspapers only, but it is understood that RTE and other broadcasting organisations will also be contacted by the tribunal in the coming days. Advertisements announcing next Wednesday's sitting appear in today's newspapers.

Journalists and any other persons who are judged to have obstructed or hindered the work of the tribunal face a fine of up to £10,000, and/or two years in jail, under legislation introduced in 1979.

Gardai have been called in to investigate the newspaper leaks, which have led to complaints from a number of people who are the subject of allegations at the tribunal.

Mr James Gogarty, the former building firm executive who had made a series of allegations about planning corruption, is scheduled to become the first witness to give evidence before the tribunal on January 12th.