‘No political influence’ on sale

NO improper, unethical or political influence was brought to bear when State lands were sold privately to the Roadstone company — whose chairman was financial adviser to then Taoiseach Charles J Haughey, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

Sean Fitzgerald, assistant secretary in the Department of Energy when the Glen Ding lands deal went through for £1.25 million (€1.58m) in December 1990, rejected the notion of political influence and defended the way officials handled the sale.

He insisted the Co Wicklow sale was not intended as a favour to Roadstone; the department’s policy was to get more out of them for the public purse. The site was adjacent to Roadstone’s property and officials felt it would be more likely to get planning permission to operate the site than a stand-alone venture, such as Johnston Enterprises, the only other bidder.

After 15 years of planning controversy, Roadstone has been unable to secure permission to utilise the sand and gravel at the site.

The tribunal heard Energy Minister Ray Burke had assured TDs in 1988 disposals of State assets were to be conducted by public tender and advertised in the press.

Mr Fitzgerald said he had no knowledge of commitments given in the Dáil and elsewhere to follow standard procedure when State assets were being disposed of.

Asked to explain the failure in December 1990 to draw minister Bobby Molloy's attention to commitments given to follow standard procedure, Mr Fitzgerald said all key department personnel involved in the file had left since the commitments were made.

Mr Fitzgerald said he was unaware of any improper approaches to any of his staff in relation to the sale.