In his evidence to the Flood tribunal on Tuesday, Mr Frank Dunlop listed payments he made to a number of politicians. Mr Pat Rabbitte TD last night identified himself as the recipient of payment number 23 on Mr Dunlop's list.
The following is the relevant excerpt from the tribunal transcript, with counsel for the tribunal questioning Mr Dunlop:
Q: Number 23 - you indicate that the person was in receipt of a payment of £3,000 in cash but that you indicate that this was subsequently returned in the form of a cheque?
A: Yes.
Q: And was it returned by that person or by that person's party?
A: The one regret I have on this particular instance is that I didn't photocopy the cheque when I received it. This money was handed over in this person's house, within days of the general election being called in November 1992. I cannot recollect the date for which it was called. I do know that the election was on the 25th November 1992. It was very readily accepted. It wasn't specifically asked for. There was a discussion.
Q: Yes?
A: Within three weeks of the election concluding and the new government being formed, I received a telephone call from this individual who said that he had discussed it, as I suppose they are wont, in that particular - with officers of the party, and they felt it was inappropriate and they returned it in the form of a cheque within three weeks of the election, accompanied by a letter, a copy of which my solicitor has and will provide to you.