Over a dozen witnesses may be called in a "whistleblower" protection claim brought against the Irish Professional Auctioneers and Valuers Association (IPAV) by its former president.
Gerry Coffey, who resigned from the organisation last year, had a complaint under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 called on at the Workplace Relations Commission this morning (FRI).
No evidence was called at the brief preliminary hearing, as the organisation's barrister, Jason Murray BL, instructed by Darragh O’Donogan of Orpen Franks Solicitors, sought an adjournment at the outset.
Mr Murray said he also wanted a direction to the complainant side to serve documents and a witness list within six weeks.
Anthony Slein BL, for Mr Coffey, said his client was "instructing me to consent" to the application and it was granted by adjudicator Jim Dolan.
Mr Murray said: "I suspect that the complainant will have between four and six witnesses. I suspect I will end up with about eight witnesses. It’s not unreasonable to suggest 15 witnesses could show up."
He asked that the WRC set aside "at least three days" for the matter.
Mr Slein said he and Mr Murray could engage during the adjournment period to "avoid calling unnecessary witnesses".
Mr Dolan asked whether IPAV’s witnesses would include "the person who conducted the investigation" and Mr Murray said he would be taking instruction on that.
The adjudicator has put the matter back around 12 weeks to dates which will be confirmed by the WRC in due course.
