Gilmartin said politicians wanted 20% stake in plan

Property developer Mr Tom Gilmartin told a business acquaintance in 1990 that politicians were looking for a 20 per cent stake in his proposed development at Quarryvale in return for their support.

Mr Colm Scallon, a property consultant and brother-in-law of politician Dana Rosemary Scallon, told the tribunal that Mr Gilmartin was "being shafted all over the place" when he met him in autumn 1990. Mr Scallon said it was a "horrendous, disgraceful scene" that Mr Gilmartin depicted during their 90-minute meeting.

A "furious" Mr Gilmartin described how Mr Liam Lawlor "invaded" a meeting between the developer and his British business partners in London, the witness said. He also described how politicians told him "if you want to get your plan, you've got to pay us".

Mr Gilmartin said he was not surprised at what he was told. Back in 1973, the developer, Mr Joe Murphy, had told him he was "getting out of this country" because he "couldn't get any progress in planning".

"The dogs in the street were barking" about improper conduct and corruption in the planning process, he told Judge Gerald Keys.

Mr Scallon said he had a lot of respect and admiration for Mr Gilmartin and his plans. He was very impressed by the drawings for a "fantastic" development he was proposing for Quarryvale.

However, "the more he talked to me the more I realised I wasn't the man who could help". Mr Scallon said he offered to bring the developer to see a friend of his, the Fianna Fáil national organiser, Mr Seán Sherwin. Mr Sherwin might have "the ear" of some ministers who could "change the scene".

He brought Mr Gilmartin around to Mr Sherwin's office. At this meeting, Mr Gilmartin again recounted his difficulties and the demands for money that were being made upon him.

Mr Scallon said there was no mention of making a payment to Fianna Fáil at this meeting. It did not happen in his presence.

The evidence of Mr Scallon and Mr Gilmartin differed in several respects. According to Mr Scallon, their contact arose as a result of an unsolicited phone call from Mr Gilmartin. However, Mr Gilmartin has told the tribunal it was Mr Scallon who initiated the contact.