Ahern to avoid pre-election tribunal

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is almost certain to escape having to make a potentially embarrassing appearance at the Planning Tribunal before the General Election is called.

The Fianna Fáil leader will not appear as a witness at the inquiry in Dublin Castle before May 22 at the earliest, according to a new timetable schedule issued by the tribunal.

It has previously only indicated that no witnesses in the Quarryvale II module — which is examining allegations of planning corruption in the controversial rezoning of land in west Dublin in the early 1990s — would be heard before May 1.

Such a schedule had raised the possibility of Mr Ahern being quizzed just weeks before the general election about politically damaging claims that he had been paid almost £80,000 (€101,600) by property developer Owen O’Callaghan.

The allegations were made by another developer, Tom Gilmartin, who maintains that he was told about the payments to Mr Ahern by Mr O’Callaghan.

Mr Gilmartin also maintains that he was informed that Mr Ahern played a role during his term as Minister for Finance in blocking a tax break for a rival shopping centre being developed in Blanchardstown.

Both the Taoiseach and Mr O’Callaghan have vehemently denied the allegations made by Mr Gilmartin.

However, the new timetable for the Planning Tribunal now makes it extremely unlikely that Mr Ahern will be called to give evidence before the general election is called.

Tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon has already indicated that he will not conduct public hearings for approximately a fortnight before polling day.

It will come as a major relief to Fianna Fáil as the party was concerned that the Taoiseach’s appearance before the inquiry in the run-up to the election campaign could have had negative political fallout.

It is widely believed that the Taoiseach will hold the election next month with likely dates either May 17 or May 24.

Mr Ahern is one of almost 80 people named by the tribunal’s legal team as witnesses in the forthcoming module. Others included former taoisigh, Albert Reynolds and John Bruton and several candidates in the general election including Labour leader Pat Rabbitte.

Hearings of the inquiry into the rezoning of Quarryvale (now known as the Liffey Valley centre) were postponed following a series of unsuccessful legal challenges by Mr O’Callaghan.

However, the Supreme Court ruled last month against the Cork-based developer, although a separate legal action by the widow of the late TD, Liam Lawlor could still cause further delays.

The tribunal plans to recommence its hearings on April 30 with a new opening statement about the history of the rezoning of the site.