Revenue studying alleged cash for politicians

The Revenue Commissioners are investigating politicians who are alleged to have received money from Mr Frank Dunlop, the tribunal has heard.

Mr Dunlop said the Revenue had sought his assistance on a number of occasions in relation to the money he says he paid to county councillors.

He also revealed that he has made two payments to the Revenue in respect of his own tax liabilities in 1998 and 1999, but is still under investigation.

According to Mr Dunlop, the Revenue believes, voluntarily or otherwise, that there is no point in pursuing its investigations into his affairs until the tribunal makes a finding.

Mr Séamus Ó Tuathail SC, for Senator Don Lydon, pointed out that on the first occasion that Mr Dunlop gave evidence to the tribunal, in April-May 2000, the amount of money he had to account for started at £175,000, but increased later to £420,000.

Mr Dunlop said it had not been easy to admit in public to his participation in a system which was corrupting the planning process. But he now stood over the accuracy of the evidence that he eventually gave.

Counsel asked the witness to explain the contradiction between his alleged bribing of councillors in some rezonings and, on the other hand, his successful handling of a material contravention involving over 300 acres, for which no money was paid to politicians.

Denying there was a contradiction, Mr Dunlop recalled a late-night phone-call he received from the whip of the Fianna Fáil group in relation to this vote. This happened after the councillor realised the proposal was a positive one and was supported by local councillors.

Mr Dunlop said he had had no intention of talking to this person, and by the time he did later, "the game was up" and the proposal had significant support across the board.