THE Taoiseach said last night he had personally approached Mr Ben Dunne for contributions to the Fine Gael party after becoming leader in 1990.
He had sought support, he said as part of a fundraising drive from up to 100 business people, of different political views and none to assist with the huge debts which the party had faced.
Mr Bruton also insisted he wanted to see the Price Waterhouse report published in so far as it listed anybody in a public position exercising power on behalf of the public, whether elected or otherwise.
The approaches to businessmen had been undertaken mainly by himself and non politician trustees of the party. "I was involved in seeking the money myself from a number of people, including Ben Dunne," Mr Bruton said. "I was in touch with him personally along with 100 others."
He conceded that Mr Dunne was one of the most responsive people approached.
The appeal resulted in the payment to Fine Gael by Dunnes of £180,000 which, like the rest of funds raised in the same way, was used for party administration, research and back up staff, and largely succeeded in paying off the party debt which, he said, ha& been very worrying both to himself and ordinary party members.
Mr Bruton insisted that it had been made clear that no strings to any donations were acceptable. Any attempt to attach preconditions resulted in cash being turned down, he said.
Asked whether the former Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Michael Low, had made the approaches to Mr Dunne, Mr Bruton said: "Not directly to my knowledge, but I have no doubt he would have had some conversations with Ben Dunne at some stage."
Mr Bruton said that he was very concerned to ensure that politics was seen to be above board, and the disquiet fostered by the past week had led to the party's decision to publish details of the Dunne donation, the first time it had done so since the beef tribunal.
The Taoiseach said it was important now that the proposed Bill on the funding of political parties would get Dail support. "That would mean a level playing field for all parties." He said he was glad to see signs that the Opposition might support it.
Refusing to be drawn on allegations about individuals, Mr Bruton reiterated the importance of issues not being prejudiced by the abuse of Dail privilege.
