One of the whistle-blowers who exposed political corruption at the heart of planning decisions made in Dublin over three decades, Mr Frank Dunlop, returned to the Flood tribunal today.
The former government press secretary and public relations consultant caused a sensation when he last appeared before the inquiry in April 2000, claiming he had bribed councillors on behalf of his clients in order to get planning proposals passed.
Mr Dunlop arrived at Dublin Castle in relaxed mood, exchanging pleasantries with the gang of waiting reporters and cameramen.
He began his testimony by giving an outline account of his activities as press secretary to Fianna Fáil and later the government in the 70s and early 80s. He explained how he then moved to the Departments of Education and Environment as an assistant secretary in the role of press advisor under the late Fine Gael minister, Mr John Boland. He said this was a non-political role.
He then joined public relations firm Murray Consultants in 1982 and later set up Dunlop Associates in 1985, he told the tribunal.
His past experience gave him access to politicians and ministers of all hues and by the late 80s had developed a good understanding of the planning process through his dealings on behalf of clients.
He said he had been consulted on planning matters during the 1970s, while Fianna Fáil press secretary under the late Mr Jack Lynch, which were of interest to the tribunal. But his morning testimony related mainly to a planning decision made by Dublin county councillors in the early 90s.
Tribunal senior counsel, Mr John Gallagher asked Mr Dunlop to be careful using names and it was later agreed that only those mentioned on a tribunal circular could be revealed. Other names were written down by Mr Dunlop and passed to the tribunal.
As an example of the type of work he did, Mr Dunlop referred to a client (not publicly named) who approached him on the advice of former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Liam Lawlor. He said it was a firm not previously involved in property development looking to lobby county councillors on a planning matter that would require a material contravention to the Dublin Development Plan.
He said he provided the firm a list of names of councillors who would need to be contacted in order to secure support for the development. As part of the lobbying, around 20 councillors were brought to the location of the proposed development for a "full-day tour", which included a meal and drinks.
"And then they went back and voted for it [the development]," Mr Dunlop said.
His testimony continues this afternoon. since April 2000He is expected to spend at least a week in the witness box.