The Mahon tribunal is to investigate claims that an unidentified official of Dublin county council sought payment of around £5,000 from a businessman in return for his support in dealing with planning difficulties regarding the development of land at Dundrum in south Dublin.
The tribunal is currently investigating the rezoning of the Pye lands where the Dundrum Town Centre now stands.
In an opening statement, counsel for the tribunal, Patricia Dillon, said that the planning history of the Pye lands was one of the most complex ever dealt with by the inquiry.
She said that a businessman, Aidan Kelly, who was involved with the lands, has said that he was approached for money by a council official.
"Mr Kelly has advised the tribunal that at a meeting some time in or around 1980/83, arranged for him by an accountant, a third party who worked for council and whose name he had forgotten, sought a substantial cash payment in order to sort out the Pye planning problems. To the best of his recollection this sum was £5,000, which he refused to pay", Ms Dillon said.
She said Mr Kelly would say that during a later Garda investigation into planning irregularities he had reported this matter to Al Smith, a senior planning department official.
She said Mr Kelly would say that Mr Smith told him there was no point in pursuing the matter.
Ms Dillon said Mr Smith will say he does not recollect any such complaint being made and that if any information had been provided to him he would have reported it to the Garda.
She said Mr Kelly would say that later a meeting was arranged with the then Dublin county council official George Redmond "to resolve all issues".
She said Mr Kelly would say he brought a third party and that later he was phoned by Mr Redmond, who effectively said: "Next time you are coming to see me, come alone."
Mr Redmond does not specifically recollect any such meeting.
