Mr Ray Burke came to the attention of the general public with a bang in 1997 following allegations of bribery which led to the establishment of the Flood Tribunal.
Despite his involvement in public life since the 1970's when he was involved with Dublin County Council and subsequent political notoriety as a key member of the Fianna Fáil party in the 1980's, it was the planning tribunal, as it has come to be known, that put him in the spotlight.
Initiated to investigate suggestions that the former Dublin-West TD had secured planning permission for a 726 acre site in North Dublin in exchange for £30,000.
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A close ally of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey during the 1980's, Mr Burke was plucked from the backbenches in 1995 when fellow Haughey ally, Mr Bertie Ahern became Taoiseach. Mr Burke was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. The initial allegations were addressed in May 1997 and by October Mr Burke had resigned his Dáil seat and his post as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
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Mr Tom Brennan
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His case had become more complicated in the interim when he was also accused of ignoring procedures in the issuing of passports to Sheikh Khadil bin Mahfouz, his family and some Pakistani associates.
In April 2000, Mr Joseph McGowan and Mr Tom Brennan, both builders, gave testimony of donations given by them over a 15 year period to "Mr Burke and Fianna Fail", but did not know how the payment was divided between the two.
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Mr Joseph McGowan
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In July 2000, former director of Century Radio, Mr James Stafford, told the tribunal how he had been informed in the late 1980's, that he would have to pay money to Mr Burke and former Government press officer Mr PJ Mara if he wanted a broadcasting license.
His reputation was later marred with testimony that Mr Burke, as Minister for Communications, told the secretary general of his Department to cap advertising at RTE following complaints by Century Radio of unfair competition.
The 1990 Broadcasting Bill, which was passed during Mr Burke's reign, introduced two new provisions to enable the Minister divert 25 per cent of licence fees to the IRTC and allow that body disperse the fees to the independent radio sector.
It has been suggested that Century radio was a "lost cause" had the legislative changes not been made, while Mr Burke's power under the law to instigate the changes was questioned.