Aer Rianta has confirmed it has found no evidence to substantiate the claim that the Minister for Transport Mr Brennan owes the company for cigars and spirits purchased on his behalf in the early 90s.
The Board of Aer Rianta met today to consider the company's internal report and this evening issued a short statement confirming that no evidence had been found.
Last Friday, an internal investigation by the Department of Transport reached the same conclusion. Soon after, Aer Rianta chairman Mr Noel Hanlon issued a statement saying the airport operator had not found any evidence substantiating the claim but that their report was not complete. But he said he did not expect the situation to change. That position is confirmed by today's statement.
The report was compiled by the director of corporate affairs and company secretary and by the group head of internal audit and confirmed by the external auditors, KPMG, the short statement said.
"The investigation involved the interviewing of all relevant personnel and the examination of substantial documentation.
The report states that no evidence has been found which would substantiate the allegations contained in the Sunday Independentof November 24th, 2002."
The newspaper claimed a bill for €5,000-worth of whiskey, brandy and cigars had not been paid by Mr Brennan when he minister for transport between 19889 and 1992. It said the information had come from a senior Aer Rianta official who had checked it with a high-ranking colleague who claimed to have a vague recollection of the bill.
Today's findings were welcomed by Mr Brennan. "I am pleased that the final Aer Rianta report fully clears my name inregard to this matter and I wish to thank the very many people who worked so hard on the investigations", he said in a short statement.