Exchange between Bertie Ahern and senior counsel for the tribunal Des O'Neill SC on the Manchester "whip around".
Bertie Ahern:That night I stayed the full night and I did talk quite a lot about the economy - what was going on. And all these people invested in Ireland, they have all an interest in Ireland, they are all successful businessmen who have employed a lot of people in Ireland and employed a lot of Irish people when they emigrated. So they are a considerably important group of people, and I spent the time with them, through respect for that, and on other occasions they would have given me gifts, they would have given me --
Des O'Neill:Sure.
Bertie Ahern:They would have given me, you know, I think I said before, they gave me books and glass and things like that. On that occasion, that's why I remember it, it was the only time he gave me a financial contribution.
Des O'Neill:Yes. And can you tell me what he said that indicated to you that you were receiving a financial contribution?
Bertie Ahern:He said they wanted to make a financial contribution. I asked, the only question I recall asking him, I said the only question did I ask him, I asked was it a political contribution, as I would have to give to the party. He said it was a personal contribution for me coming over, it was nothing to do with the party.
Des O'Neill:Right. Did he tell you how much it was?
Bertie Ahern:He didn't.
Des O'Neill:No, and in what form did he present it to you?
Bertie Ahern:He just gave me an envelope.
Des O'Neill:I see. And where did this envelope come from then? Do you know? Did he have it in his pocket or -- ?
Bertie Ahern:I don't know, I'm sure he'd it in his pocket.
Des O'Neill:But he handed you the envelope?
Bertie Ahern:He did.
Des O'Neill:And from the nature and size of the envelope were you in a position to reach any conclusion as to what might be in it?
Bertie Ahern:No.
Des O'Neill:Did you know if you were receiving a fiver or 10,000?
Bertie Ahern:No, I didn't.
Des O'Neill:No. But did he --
Bertie Ahern:I wish he had just given me a season ticket for Manchester United, it would have been more appreciated.