The Chairman of the Mahon Tribunal has said he categorically rejects claims that the inquiry is biased against Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Judge Alan Mahon said Mr Ahern had been treated exactly the same as any other witness appearing before the tribunal.
He was replying to what he called 'unprecedented' criticism yesterday by the Taoiseach's lawyer, Conor Maguire SC, who said the tribunal risked interfering with the democratic process by circulating evidence prior to the election.
Judge Mahon said the tribunal was required to send out evidence before a module starts and it is sent on the condition of confidentiality.
He said the tribunal had investigated the leaks and brought legal proceedings against The Irish Times.
In fresh allegations at the tribunal, developer Tom Gilmartin has claimed that an associate of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern asked him for £500,000 for help with the Quarryvale project.
Mr Gilmartin said that Joe Burke made the request in 1989 as he drove him to Dublin Airport. However, he has admitted that this was not in his original tribunal statement.
Impact on Govt formation
Meanwhile, Opposition politicians have been commenting on the possible impact of the proceedings on the formation of a new Government.
Joan Burton of the Labour Party said it was too early to say if the issue would have a bearing, but the Deputy Leader of Fine Gael, Richard Bruton, said there did seem to be clear problems with the Taoiseach's account of his dealings.
Fine Gael's Fergus O'Dowd said the opening statement at yesterday's sitting of the Mahon Tribunal raises 'serious issues for parties or individuals considering supporting a Fianna Fáil-led government'.
However, Fianna Fáil's Brian Lenihan said it was his understanding that counsel for the tribunal accepted that the matters could be explained.
Mr Lenihan said he did not believe that the proceedings would have any impact on the formation of a Government.
The tribunal's inquiries into Mr Ahern's finances re-started yesterday after being suspended for the duration of the General Election campaign.
The statement by Mr Ahern's legal team followed evidence from tribunal lawyers who say they have found discrepancies in Mr Ahern's explanation for bank lodgements in the 1990s.
