Lawyers for the Mahon Tribunal have said they no longer wish to cross-examine the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about statements made by him in the Dáil in 2006.
The High Court was told this afternoon that the tribunal wanted to be free to refer to the fact that such statements were made but would not question their veracity.
The comments came on the first day of the Taoiseach's challenge to aspects of the tribunal's inquiries.
The tribunal has also handed over documentation to lawyers for Mr Ahern, a move that is being described by sources in Fianna Fáil as a vindication of the Taoiseach's decision to take the court case.
Bertie Ahern is taking this High Court action in a bid to limit questioning of him at the tribunal.
He is seeking to limit its power of discovery over communications between him and his banking advisor Paddy Stronge, and also to obtain documents relating to alleged foreign exchange transactions from the tribunal.
The tribunal today furnished documents to Mr Ahern, which were related to how they calculated the nature of lodgements to his account and an account on the name of his former partner, Celia Larkin.
The Taoiseach's legal team is expected to conclude its submission tomorrow morning.
The case is being heard by the President of the High Court and two other High Court judges sitting as a divisional court.
Such courts are convened occasionally to deal with cases of constitutional importance.
It is expected that the judgment will be reserved and delivered at a later date. Whatever the outcome, it is likely the case will eventually end up being decided by the Supreme Court.
Coalition snub
Meanwhile, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has called on the Taoiseach to make a detailed and comprehensive statement to the Dáil tomorrow on recent disclosures at the Mahon Tribunal.
Mr Gilmore also wants Mr Ahern to answer TDs' questions for a reasonable period.
The Labour leader said the Taoiseach intended to snub his coalition partners by simply responding to questions tomorrow.
He said answering Leaders' Questions on the subject was no substitute for a proper detailed statement, and that if the Greens and the PDs accepted this, their credibility 'will be even further diminished'.
Mr Gilmore's call comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said he had strongly advised the Taoiseach against making a Dáil statement on his personal finances tomorrow.
Dermot Ahern said that as the Taoiseach is in the middle of his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal, he should be given the opportunity to finish, to cross examine and to be cross examined.
The Minister said it is obvious that the Taoiseach will be put under pressure, that people are entitled to ask questions, however he added the tribunal is the place for any statement, not the media or the Dáil.
The Minister said the Taoiseach enjoys his full confidence and that there is no nervousness in the Government.
But he conceded that the sooner the Taoiseach returns to Dublin Castle the better.
