Former Revenue chief gave tax advice to Dunne

So I guess we have some idea of the payback Dunne may have got for giving Haughey the £1.9 million in donations. But then Dunne can’t recollect any of these events anyway. And Haughey is too ill even to instruct his lawyers now, despite sunning himself on his yacht in France.

But let’s break this down a little. In 1987, Charlie Haughey, as Taoiseach arranged a meeting between the Head of the Revenue Sa©amus Pairca©ir, and Ben Dunne. The purpose of the meeting was to arrange a settlement.

Pairca©ir has now said that he didn’t think this information was relevent to the Moriarty Tribunal’s predecessor, McCracken.

Mr Pairca©ir had told the tribunal, in a statement of intended evidence, that he did not view a request from Mr Haughey that he meet Mr Dunne as a representation or submission on behalf of Dunnes Stores.

Maybe we all live on a different planet then. How could Dunne Stores possibly be related to Ben Dunne in 1987?

Indeed now it appears that:

the total amount that has been identified as being paid to Mr Haughey, by various parties, is approximately £8.5 million.

What could a reasonable person assume from these details? Answers on a postcard please.

'A further 120 cases pending against Garda'

Bertie Ahern is waffling and should back down in regard to Fine Gael requests for a review of the impending legislation.

Mr Ahern said that the Bill had been reviewed for the last year. When the first report was published last year, the Minister had taken full account of the issues involved.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny suggested that the recommendations of the second report of the Morris tribunal, and the extent of the Garda Sa­ochana Bill, be examined by a three-person committee with international experience. It could report by the end of September, allowing the Government to enact an effective, modern and acceptable Bill by the end of the year.

“The Taoiseach claims repeatedly that the Minister for Justice is convinced that the Bill will work. However, Mr Justice Morris made recommendations that are not contained in the Bill.” People were concerned, he added, that another McBrearty case might occur. “They are worried that structures will not change sufficiently to have accountability, transparency and professionalism in the Garda force.

Ahern noted:

However, there are 120 cases like that one against the State and the Garda, starting off against actions in Donegal