At the Flood Tribunal this afternoon, Mr Ray Burke was questioned by Mr Pat Hanratty SC regarding monies he received in political donations between 1982 and 1996.
Mr Burke said that he had received £275,000 over almost 20 years which amounted roughly to between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
Asked what he did with the money Mr Burke told the tribunal that he used it for political expenses. Mr Burke described the expenses as paying for food for people working in election offices on his behalf, buying them drinks after work, buying drinks for the media in the Dáil bar, buying drinks for supporters after cumann meetings, buying drinks for supporters at the ardheis weekends which he also described as being very expensive for him. He also said he would buy drinks at golf outings, charity events and after resident association meetings.
Mr Burke said sometimes he "would be touched for a few bob" from a supporter down on his luck. He said that helping out with funerals and sending mass cards were other expenses he incurred as a politician.
Mr Hanratty SC asked Mr Burke if these expenses were not unique to himself to which Mr Burke replied: "I ran a very expensive campaign in North Dublin. It was also very successful."
Mr Burke said the business community was keen to see Fianna Fáil back in power and that is why they made donations to the party.
Asked why he did not tell Fianna Fáil head office he had received donations, Mr Burke said: "Because I didn't want them to get their hands on it."
Mr Burke said the tribunal would have to ask the people who donated the money to him why they did not give it directly to Fianna Fáil.