Kenny faces showdown over $50,000 donation to FG

ENDA KENNY is under intense pressure today to clear-up serious questions surrounding the donation of $50,000 to Fine Gael by the winners of the most lucrative licence awarded in the history of the state.

As the Dáil begins a two-day examination of the Moriarty Tribunal report into the way the 1995 mobile phone contract was won by Esat, the controversial transfer of money to Fine Gael two months after the licence was granted will take centre stage.

Mr Kenny initially refused to be drawn on the donation when the report was published last Tuesday, before admitting a day later that the financial transaction was “wrong” and he regretted the “circuitous” route Fine Gael had taken in returning the money.