Former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave has defended his decision to support rezoning motions in the late 1990s relating to land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, despite the county manager's view that the land was unsuitable for industrial development.

Frank Dunlop has told the Flood tribunal he first established contact with politicians in relation to planning in 1990.

An application for the Planning and Payments Tribunal to stand down has been rejected by Justice Flood.

A lawyer representing former Fine Gael Senator Liam Cosgrave has said the Flood Tribunal should stand down because it has been tainted by evidence from former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop.

Former government press secretary Frank Dunlop has told the Flood tribunal that he was known to every councillor in Dublin during the early 1990s.

Former government press secretary Frank Dunlop will face more questions about alleged payments to politicians when he returns to the Flood tribunal later today.

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has insisted that he paid bribes to former Fine Gael TD Liam Cosgrave in return for his vote on rezoning motions relating to land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin.

Former government press secretary Frank Dunlop has resumed his evidence at the Flood Tribunal.

Former Government press secretary, Frank Dunlop, makes a return to the witness stand today, when he resumes giving testimony at the planning and payments tribunal.

The Flood Tribunal has been adjourned until January 21.

Former Government press secretary Frank Dunlop has accepted that he was involved in corrupt practices during the Dublin planning process in the 1990s.

Two former Fianna Fail councillors have written to the Flood Tribunal to deny allegations that they received bribes from former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop in 1992.

Former PR consultant Frank Dunlop has told the Flood Tribunal that former Fine Gael senator Liam Cosgrave specifically requested £2,000 in return for his vote on a rezoning motion in 1992.

Legal teams for Senator Don Lydon, Liam Cosgrave and the late Tom Hand have raised objections about evidence given by Frank Dunlop at the Flood Tribunal today.

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has told the Flood Tribunal that former Fianna Fail TD Liam Lawlor told him money would have to be paid to councillors to secure the rezoning of land in Carrickmines in south Dublin in 1991.

Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop is due back in the witness stand at the Flood Tribunal today.

Former Government press secretary Frank Dunlop has told the Flood Tribunal that certain councillors in Dublin would only sign rezoning motions if they were paid for it.

Political lobbyist Frank Dunlop, who has claimed he bribed several Dublin councillors for their votes on rezoning motions, has taken the witness stand at the Flood Tribunal.

There were heated exchanges at the Flood Tribunal this morning between Antoinette Kennedy and Justice Flood as she was questioned about the business dealings of her husband, Jim Kennedy.

Former Government press secretary Frank Dunlop will return to the witness stand later today as the Flood Tribunal resumes to hear evidence of planning corruption in Dublin.

The Flood Tribunal is to consider its options following the failure of businessman Jim Kennedy to show up at the inquiry today.

The Flood Tribunal will today complete the opening statement of its latest phase investigating rezoning decisions made by Dublin councillors.

Four Dublin councillors under investigation by the Flood Tribunal have denied they accepted money in return for voting in favour of rezoning motions.

Disgraced TD Liam Lawlor and reclusive businessman Jim Kennedy were at the centre of two property companies that allegedly paid £30,000 in bribes to councillors, the Flood Tribunal was told yesterday.

The Flood Tribunal has heard that businessmen Jim Kennedy has refused to return to Dublin to give evidence at the inquiry.

The Flood Tribunal has heard that political lobbyist Frank Dunlop was offered a £250,000 payment in 1997 if he could secure the rezoning of land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin, owned by the mysterious company Jackson Way.

The Flood Tribunal has been told that the final route of the M50 in South Dublin was moved several times to benefit the owners of the Jackson Way lands at Carrickmines.

The Flood Tribunal will continue to hear the opening statement of the next phase in it’s investigation today.

The Flood Tribunal has revealed that 13 matters will be investigated during its coming phase, including rezoning decisions relating to 20 parcels of land in Carrickmines, Co Dublin.

The Flood Tribunal has turned down an application by counsel for former TD, Liam Cosgrave Junior, seeking all details of allegations made by Frank Dunlop regarding payments to politicians.

The Flood tribunal has been told that payments to former TD Liam Cosgrave Junior from Frank Dunlop were for election purposes only and not for re-zoning motions.

A number of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors have sought legal representation at this morning's sitting of the Flood Tribunal.

The Flood Tribunal is due to resume in Dublin Castle this morning to hear applications for legal representation from individuals due to give evidence to the next phase of the inquiry.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has told the Dail that he had no evidence that Ray Burke was involved in wrongdoing when he appointed him to the cabinet in 1997.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told the Dail that he never took a bribe in his life.

The Taoiseach’s refusal to answer questions from the opposition about the Ray Burke corruption scandal has led to noisy scenes in the Dail.

The Fine Gael leader is stepping up his demands for a full debate on the Flood report in the Dail.

Over three quarters of Irish people believe that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern misled the Dáil over the appointment of Ray Burke.

The Labour Party is slamming the Justice Minister for his attacks on the media.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has confirmed he was warned about suspected serious corruption linked to Ray Burke prior to appointing him a Minister.

Labour leader Ruairi Quinn today accused the Taoiseach of misleading the public over revelations that a former minister received corrupt payments.

SIPTU is backing Fine Gael’s call for a probe into the granting of licences to exploit Ireland’s oil and gas reserves during Ray Burke’s tenure as Energy Minister.

The Tanaiste Mary Harney has said she has been reassured by the Taoiseach and a number of Fianna Fail ministers there is no truth in the allegation that a serving minister received a corrupt payment.

Fine Gael wants all Ray Burke’s political decisions while he was a Minister to be fully investigated.