This is the full text of the statement issued last night by Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, describing how he received - and subsequently returned - a donation from Mr Frank Dunlop:
Close to general election day in 1992, Mr Frank Dunlop called to my home unannounced. He said his purpose was to make "a small contribution" to my election campaign on behalf of a number of clients. As he has acknowledged, neither his visit nor its purpose was solicited.
I explained the procedure adopted by Democratic Left in Dublin South West, namely that all campaign contributions were considered by the constituency officers and myself in terms of acceptance or otherwise.
I telephoned Mr Dunlop after polling day to say I regretted that we could not accept his contributions since a potential conflict might arise, and I chose to return the amount by way of cheque for record purposes. The amount, incidentally, which Mr Dunlop has acknowledged was returned in full, was £2,000, not £3,000, which I feel Mr Dunlop will validate from his own records.
Mr Dunlop did not, during his brief encounter, ask me to vote for Quarryvale nor did he raise any planning matter - rather there was a brief discussion about the likely outcome of the general election.
"In the event, I voted against Quarryvale and my voting record and that of my party on contentious rezonings are on the public record.
Contrary to the impression being created, my party nationally had no involvement in this matter.