A senior civil servant has told the Moriarty tribunal that people who knew the European commission system could get access to almost any information they wanted.
Martin Brennan, who oversaw the competition for the state's second mobile phone licence, said it was relatively common for non-state organisations to access confidential information through personal contacts in Europe.
Before Christmas the tribunal questioned how Denis O'Brien's consortium managed to get a copy of a European Commission letter that was addressed to Michael Lowry.
The Tribunal believes this letter gave confidential and valuable information regarding the competition.
Members of the consortium have claimed their copy of the letter came from the European Commission and they argue the information was not confidential.
The tribunal is examining in great detail the chronology of events which led to the decision to launch a competition for the state's second mobile phone licence.
In December the tribunal heard Mr Brennan stating that Denis O'Brien sent at least six bottles of expensive whiskey to the Department of Communications just days after his consortium won the licence for the State's second mobile phone licence.
Martin Brennan, who headed up the project team that oversaw the competition, told the Moriarty Tribunal that bottles worth about £75 each were sent to individuals in the Department.
He said that when he contacted Denis O'Brien to ensure they were returned, Mr O'Brien protested that they were no more than a private token of appreciation.
Mr Brennan said he reminded him that they still had months of licence negotiations to complete.
