Harney tells Mahon of corruption suspicions in 1980s

Tánaiste Mary Harney told the Mahon tribunal this morning that she had suspicions about planning corruption during the 1980s.

When asked by Judge Alan Mahon if she was aware of rumours surrounding the planning process, Ms Harney replied she had her suspicions, which she discussed with Tom Kitt, who is now Government Chief Whip, and Fianna Fáil TD Chris Flood.

"There were suspicions to be honest, there were people that had lifestyles that were incompatible with their incomes," Ms Harney told the inquiry. Ms Harney appeared before the tribunal for the second time today.

The Tánaiste was questioned over her contacts with the Jones Group in relation to a controversial Dublin County Council vote on the rezoning of farmland at Ballycullen in 1992.

She gave evidence over her relationship with Derry Hussey, the financial controller of the Jones Group. She said she was socially friendly with Mr Hussey and his wife Gemma, a former Fine Gael minister for education.

However, she said that "to the best of her knowledge" any queries regarding rezoning would usually be referred to her party's councillors, who were not subjected to a whip system at the time, adding that she never lobbied anyone.

Ms Harney was also asked about a donation of £1,270 from the Jones Group to the Progressive Democrats on May 21st, 2002.

She said it was a donation made to her party and was lodged in the party's national account. She said it could happen that the party might solicit donations using letters purportedly signed by her but denied it had anything to do with land rezoning.

When asked of her relationship with the late Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor, Ms Harney told the tribunal that she "didn't have much of a relationship [with him] since the mid 80s, I'm afraid."

"I don't think I would have been the person he would have been seeking support from in a direct sense in any event," she added.

Tomorrow's sitting of the inquiry is due to hear evidence from Mr Kitt, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan, Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte, Chris Jones and Derry Hussey.