Politicians apply for legal representation at Flood

The Flood tribunal has heard applications by a number of people - including Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil politicians - for legal representation in the next phase of the inquiry.

The next phase of the tribunal will deal with allegations by former lobbyist and Government press secretary, Mr Frank Dunlop. He claims to have paid a number of political representatives money on behalf of property developers to have land at Carrickmines in south Dublin rezoned in the early 1990s.

Among those who applied for legal representation this morning were Fine Gael Senator Mr Liam Cosgrave, the son of the former taoiseach Mr Liam Cosgrave, and the former Chairman of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, Mr Tony Fox of Fianna Fáil.

The families ofthe late Fine Gael councillor Tom Hand and the late Fianna Fáil councillor and former chairman of Fingal County Council, Cyril Gallagher of Fianna Fáil, applied for representation, as did former Independent councillor Mr John O'Halloran, Fianna Fáil Senator Mr Don Lydon andFianna Fáil Councillor Mr Larry Butler.

Also named today were former town planner, Mr Brian Meehan and architect Mr Brian O'Flanagan, who was involved in the preparation of maps of the Carrickmines site.

Representation was also sought on behalf of Dublin solicitor Mr John Caldwell, who was described as one of the "ultimate beneficial owners" of development company Jackson Way Properties. The company also applied to be represented.Mr Ian Finlay, SC for Mr Caldwell, said his client had already furnished a statement to the tribunal.

An application wasmade by Mr George Bermingham SC for the joint owners of land adjacent to the Jackson Way holding. They are architect, Mr Brian O'Halloran, and businessmen Prof Austin Darragh and Mr Gerard Kilcoyne.

Mr Colm Allen, SC, applied on behalf of Mr Frank Dunlop and his two companies, Frank Dunlop and Associates and Shefran Ltd. He said that "virtually all matters in this next module affect the interests of these three parties". He added that MrDunlop will have a "significant role to play" in the submission of evidence to the tribunal.

Mr Justice Feargus Flood granted all applications for representation except that of Mr Butler, although he granted his legal team leave to apply at a later date.

Healso reserved his decision in reference to Shefran Ltd, asking Mr Allen to make further written submissions before he made his final ruling on the application.

Mr Justice Flood said that full hearing of the tribunal will begin not before November 19th.

It is expected that thepoliticians named today will argue that the monies they are alleged to have received from Mr Dunlop were political contributions that were usually given at election time.