Appearing confident and assured, Mr Liam Lawlor TD spent two hours yesterday morning at Fianna Fail headquarters outlining the political donations he received from Mr Frank Dunlop and his reasons for supporting the controversial Quarryvale rezoning.
Mr Lawlor faced detailed questioning during an intensive encounter with the five-member committee. In the presence of the inquiry's legal adviser, Mr Rory Brady SC, Mr Lawlor produced documentation in an attempt to back up his position that all money he received from Mr Dunlop was either a political donation or consultancy fees.
Mr Lawlor denied receipt of £40,000 from Mr Dunlop as a "contribution" at Mr Dunlop's office. This denial comes in a section of his statement detailing what he calls "electoral contributions". In the subsequent sentence, he acknowledges he had other "dealings" with Mr Dunlop on a "commercial basis" in his capacity as a "registered consultant". He does not give details of how much he received from Mr Dunlop on this commercial basis.
Mr Lawlor was asked about the widespread belief that he is the "powerful individual" - referred to in evidence by Mr Dunlop - who received £40,000 from him at one stage, and a further £8,500 another time. He was also asked about the £3,500 per month he has admitted receiving from London-Irish developer Mr Tom Gilmartin over a 10-month period. Mr Lawlor initially said these were consultancy fees, but quickly changed his account, saying they were in fact political donations.
Mr Lawlor did not give an exact figure for political contributions he had received from Mr Dunlop, but those he recalled amounted to well over £10,000. These included £1,000 in 1992 for a function recognising the tenth anniversary of his election to the Dail; contributions to a number of golf classics; a print bill of under £500; a number of £1,000 contributions; £4,000 in the June 1991 local election campaign; and £5,000 during the November 1992 general election. In relation to an £8,500 sum Mr Dunlop says he gave him over and above the £40,000, Mr Lawlor said he would address this matter if the cheques in question became available.
He was asked about his role in the Quarryvale saga, from his contacts with Mr Tom Gilmartin, who has alleged he set up a meeting for him with Mr Charles Haughey, Mr Bertie Ahern and Mr Brian Lenihan, to his work for Mr Owen O'Callaghan, who ultimately developed the site. Mr Dunlop's evidence is that the money he paid Mr Lawlor was Mr O'Callaghan's.
Mr Lawlor was questioned about a number of other allegations that he received money in relation to his role in planning, as well as his alleged connections with former assistant Dublin city and county manager Mr George Redmond.
In his presentation to the committee and in response to questions, Mr Lawlor gave a lengthy account of the history of plans for major shopping centres in Blanchardstown and Lucan and Clondalkin area. He outlined how he came to favour the Quarryvale scheme and vote for the first of two rezoning motions in relation to the scheme.
Mr Lawlor said he would provide the inquiry with more documentation, and may be called back for a further session with the committee.