Lowry ‘wanted best applicant to win’

MICHAEL LOWRY seemed indifferent when he named the top two contenders for the country’s second mobile phone licence in early October 1995, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

vThe former communications minister was mainly concerned to ensure the best applicant secured the licence and he was keenly interested in having competition in the telecoms sector, civil servant Martin Brennan said.

Mr Brennan said he felt when the result was becoming clear and they were coming close to the end of the process that Mr Lowry was entitled to have some access to the information.