Developer denies rezoning request

MAHON TRIBUNAL:CORK DEVELOPER Owen O'Callaghan has said he never asked former taoiseach Albert Reynolds to speak to Fianna Fáil councillors about rezoning land at Quarryvale, west Dublin.

He also said he did not believe that payments made to councillors in advance of a crucial vote on the Quarryvale lands should have been disclosed to other members of the council.

Mr O'Callaghan had two meetings with Mr Reynolds in April 1992 and was accompanied by his lobbyist Frank Dunlop.

At the time, Mr O'Callaghan was contacting councillors on Dublin County Council to convince them to support Quarryvale in a crucial vote to confirm its zoning for retail development.

He said his meetings with Mr Reynolds in April 1992 probably related to his proposal to develop a national stadium on land he owned at Neilstown, west Dublin.

The tribunal had heard that the Neilstown land had been zoned for retail development, but that zoning was removed when Quarryvale got its preliminary retail zoning.

Counsel for the tribunal, Patricia Dillon SC, said Mr O'Callaghan would have had to explain to Mr Reynolds that the stadium grew out of a need for an alternative use for Neilstown.

"That would have been mentioned, but I don't think he would have taken a great deal of notice of that," Mr O'Callaghan said.

Ms Dillon asked if he had told Mr Reynolds that the Quarryvale issue was due to come before the council.

"That could have been discussed," Mr O'Callaghan replied.

Ms Dillon asked if he had requested Mr Reynolds to phone one of the councillors to generate support. "That would probably be the absolute way to lose the support of that particular councillor," Mr O'Callaghan said.

"Have you ever asked any member of the Oireachtas to telephone or contact a councillor to speak up for you and your causes?" Ms Dillon asked.

"Never," Mr O'Callaghan said.

The tribunal also heard that Mr O'Callaghan paid former FF councillor Colm McGrath £10,700 in 1992. Former Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Gilbride was paid £15,500 by Mr O'Callaghan from September 1992 to May 1993 while he took a sabbatical from teaching, so that he could run for the Seanad and promote the Quarryvale development.

"Is it your position as a developer that an elected county councillor who is elected to represent the interests of the entire community is entitled to be paid a fee or a salary by a developer to promote that developer's interests in relation to matters which that councillor and others will vote on?" Ms Dillon asked.

"If he is working to promote the development for the developer, yes," Mr O'Callaghan replied.

"Do you not think Mr O'Callaghan that in fairness to everybody else on the council, any such interest should have been disclosed?"

"No," Mr O'Callaghan said.