Brennan cleared of claims he dodged £5,000 brandy, cigar bill

TRANSPORT Minister Séamus Brennan last night said he wanted to get back to work after two separate inquiries cleared him of allegations that he had dodged a £5,000 brandy and cigar bill.

Mr Brennan ordered full publication of the first inquiry report by Transport Department secretary general Julie O'Neill. The report stated that she had found no documentary, or other, evidence which might relate to an incident referred to in an article in last week's Sunday Independent.

A separate inquiry by the airport management company Aer Rianta, which was alleged to have been left with the bill almost 12 years ago, also reached a similar conclusion. Aer Rianta chairman Noel Hanlon said inquiries by the company secretary and internal auditor had found no evidence to substantiate the claims.

Mr Hanlon said all inquiries would be completed next week when a full report would go to the board. "It is not expected that there will be any change in this position," he said.

After six days of controversy, Mr Brennan said he welcomed the clear and decisive result of the inquiry findings.

"Public life is difficult, whichever side you are on, and to have your integrity questioned is deeply upsetting and hurtful," he said.

Mr Brennan added that he now wanted to return to work on policy issues. He declined further comment on clear evidence of a seriously fractured relationship between him and some Aer Rianta board members and senior managers in the wake of the controversy.

The controversy began with a report in last week's Sunday Independent which alleged an unnamed politician had left an unpaid brandy, whiskey and cigars bill dating back to the late 1980s or early 1990s. On Tuesday Mr Brennan confirmed he was the person at the centre of the allegations but insisted the claims were completely false.

In her report Ms O'Neill said the inquiry included a comprehensive trawl of records which found no outstanding invoice resembling the one cited in the newspaper report.