Payments inquiry by Fine Gael a 'Bruton quango'

A former Fine Gael councillor has criticised his party's inquiry into political payments as a "Bruton quango" that breached the rules of its constitution.

Cathal Boland said the reason he did not disclose to the inquiry a £4,000 donation from lobbyist Frank Dunlop was because the former tribunal chairman, Feargus Flood, had asked people to "hold on" to information.

The line of questioning followed by the Fine Gael inquiry in 2000 would have involved him breaking his bond of confidentiality to the tribunal.

Recent evidence had shown that Mr Justice Flood's judgment was extremely wise, Mr Boland told the tribunal.

The report of the Fine Gael inquiry said its interview with Mr Boland was not productive and that he had failed to disclose the source of the payment he had received.

Mr Boland said Mr Dunlop gave him the donation in November 1992. The lobbyist approached him in the Fine Gael rooms in Dublin County Council and handed him a sealed envelope which he said represented a contribution on behalf of four or five people other than Mr Dunlop himself.

From the size of the envelope he was immediately aware it contained cash and that a reasonably sizable contribution was involved.

Mr Boland said he had known Mr Dunlop from the early 1980s when he, Mr Dunlop, had worked for his late brother John, a former Fine Gael minister.

He had always found Mr Dunlop to be an upright person and considered him a pillar of society. For this reason, he had no reason to be concerned when he received the contribution.

However, Mr Dunlop has told the tribunal he had no memory of making the payment to Mr Boland.

Mr Boland said he was present in September 1993 when party leader John Bruton addressed Fine Gael members of Dublin County Council upstairs in Conway's pub.

Mr Boland said the party leader told those present they were the front-line troops of the party and that the nation was watching what they were doing on the council. Mr Bruton did not care whether they rezoned land or not, but he wanted the councillors to vote as a unified party.

Those who were not able to accept the majority position should leave the group.

The following day, feeling unable to agree with the majority position on a zoning issue, he "did the honourable thing" and resigned from the Fine Gael group. However, he remained a member of Fine Gael.

Mr Boland also got contributions of £400 and £200 from Monarch Properties, the tribunal heard.