Work on the drafting of terms of reference for the new tribunal to inquire into possible financial impropriety by politicians is likely to begin later today.
This morning's Cabinet meeting will hear a report from a team of officials from the offices of the Taoiseach and the Attorney General who have been examining possible terms of reference. Ministers will also hear a report from the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, on his consultations with the Opposition parties on what a new tribunal should do.
Government sources say the Cabinet is likely to authorise the drafting of possible terms of reference today, but there will be further consultations with the Opposition parties in an attempt to secure maximum agreement on the remit of a new tribunal.
Some Ministers are understood to support the proposal that a new tribunal investigate specific past government decisions to see if there was any impropriety relating to these decisions. The matters to be investigated could include decisions relating to the beef industry, the Telecom site, the Carysfort land deal, the awarding of contracts for the International Financial Services Centre, and the award of the State's second GSM mobile phone licence.
The Opposition parties, however, all favour investigating the sources of wealth of Mr Charles Haughey and Mr Michael Lowry first, before considering decisions made by them or by governments of which they were members. Some Ministers are also understood to support this approach.
The Government is still resisting Opposition demands that a donation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, in 1989 by a building firm be investigated by the tribunal. Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left have all called on Mr Burke to make a Dail statement and answer questions on the affair. If he does not agree to do that, they say, the matter should be investigated by the tribunal.
The Government maintains, however, that this would be "inappropriate" as the matter is under investigation by the Garda. Fine Gael and Labour have said a Supreme Court decision relating to the beef tribunal proves this position is "nonsensical".
The Government plans to put a motion establishing a new tribunal to the Dail during the debate on the McCracken tribunal report on September 10th and 11th.
A Fine Gael spokesman last night said the Government should now come forward with draft terms of reference. He also accused Fianna Fail of failing to face up to the consequences of the revelations about Mr Haughey for the party. "Mr Ahern's suggestion that he was unsure of Mr Haughey's membership status in Fianna Fail was an insult to people's intelligence," the spokesman said. "He can't simply wash his hands of Mr Haughey. He has to grasp this nettle - and we say that with some experience."