The family of the late Brian Lenihan COULD be given the right to represent him at the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry.

But Today FM understands the family of the former finance minister will only be allowed to appear if they can satisfy the committee that the ex-minister has been misrepresented by the evidence of others.

The development comes after the Lenihan family said they would be seeking the right to be heard at the inquiry and represent the views and memories of the ex-minister, who died in June 2011.

Mary O'Rourke, another former Fianna Fáil minister who is Brian Lenihan's aunt, says the family would not be interested in presenting hearsay, but in ensuring that the inquiry heard alternative accounts of certain events.

Otherwise, O'Rourke said this morning, the inquiry would be like "Hamlet without the prince".

Inquiry sources have said any member of the public is free to write in and raise concerns about the evidence given by any witness called forward.

It's understood that if their correspondence contains serious concerns about any discrepancy or misrepresentation of any kind, the individuals can then be asked to make a formal written statement which can be published by the Inquiry.

If the alleged discrepancy is significant enough, further hearings can be organised to hear any contradictory claims.

This means that the door is open for the Lenihan family to appear at the inquiry - but only if they are able to show that the tale of events laid out by others can be contradicted by others.

Although inquiry sources are keen to ensure that the hearings are fair and balanced, it's anticipated that members will be keen to distinguish between genuine attempts to correct the record, and other attempts aimed at protecting the reputations of key individuals.

Brian Lenihan's aunt Mary O'Rourke says it's only fair for the inquiry to hear first-hand memories of the former minister's actions:

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News.