The following is the statement by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, regarding representations to his constituency office regarding Mr Brian Murray, Roscommon.
Today's Irish Independent carries a story that I interfered in the planning process.
I categorically refute this disingenuous charge. In the interests of accuracy I want to set out the correct position.
On November 10th, 2003, Mr Kevin Murray, who is a resident in my constituency, attended a clinic in my office in Drumcondra. As I was otherwise engaged on Government business, the clinic was taken by my constituency colleague, Senator Cyprian Brady.
Mr Murray informed Senator Brady that he and his brother, Brian, had opened a quarry at Scrine, Rahara, Roscommon, and that this was the subject of an unauthorised-development case concerning Roscommon County Council..
At the clinic Mr Murray stated that his brother was at that time attending St Luke's Hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. He made the point that the case with Roscommon County Council was causing a lot of stress for his brother at a time when he was receiving serious medical attention. Mr Murray asked if there was any possibility that, on humanitarian grounds, the case could be put on hold until his brother's treatment had finished.
On November 12th, two days after Mr Murray met with Senator Brady at the constituency clinic, a letter was issued from my constituency office to Ms Marion O'Grady, the planning enforcement officer of Roscommon County Council. The relevant section from this letter states that Mr Murray's "brother Brian is in St Luke's hospital at present receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer and I would be grateful if you could arrange for this case to be put on hold until Brian's treatment is complete". In concluding this letter I asked Ms O'Grady if she could look on this request sympathetically.
I want to unequivocally state that my only motivation in making representation on this matter was from a compassionate perspective. It is a blatant distortion of the truth to suggest that I in any way sought to interfere in the planning process. At no time did I seek to influence the council's decision regarding the unauthorised development case.
My involvement related solely to a request that the matter would be put on hold until Mr Brian Murray had completed his medical attention. This was done on humanitarian grounds.