Burke nominated solicitor, bank and accountant used by IRTC, tribunal hears

The then Minister for Communications, Mr Ray Burke, nominated the solicitor, bank and accountant used by the Independent Radio and Television Commission, the tribunal has heard.

Mr Vivian Murray, the first IRTC member to give evidence to the tribunal, said yesterday it came as "somewhat as a surprise " to him to learn from tribunal lawyers the Minister had made these nominations.

A commission member from Cork, Mr Donal O'Sullivan, has told the tribunal he made the nominations on behalf of Mr Burke at the first meeting of the IRTC in October 1988. By agreement of the commission, Ulster Bank was appointed bankers to the IRTC, Mr Michael O'Connor, of John S. O'Connor, became solicitor and Deloitte Haskins Selles was appointed accountants.

Later, Mr Burke's lawyers explained that the solicitor and bank manager involved were constituents of the minister. John S. O'Connor were solicitors to Fianna Fail and had represented Eamon de Valera in his time. Mr Burke was glad to recommend such a well-known and highly regarded firm of solicitors, of which Mr Pat O'Connor was the principal. The matter was very straightforward.

Mr John Fox, barrister for Mr Burke, said his client had never engaged John S. O'Connor to work on his behalf. Mr Burke would say he had no involvement in nominating accountants to the IRTC. Mr Murray, a former chief executive of the Irish Goods Council, said he could not remember any discussion at the meeting on this issue and assumed the details were prepared beforehand. He was appointed to the IRTC after meeting the minister at a business function.

The remuneration was £800 a year but this almost "disappeared" after tax was taken out. Mr Murray said he did not know why the IRTC chose to deal with the national radio franchise first, but he imagined this was the "natural way to progress".