OPW passes file to Leech contracts investigator

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has reportedly given a file on its public relations deal with Monica Leech to the man appointed by the Government to investigate the awarding of the contract.

Reports this morning said former Revenue chairman Dermot Quigley had also spoken to officials in the Department of the Environment about a separate contract Ms Leech received from that department.

Mr Quigley was appointed to investigate the contracts after media reports revealed Ms Leech’s association with Transport Minister Martin Cullen.

Ms Leech was engaged by the OPW in December 2001, when Mr Cullen was the junior minister with responsibility for the office.

When Mr Cullen was promoted to Environment Minister in mid-2002, Ms Leech was hired to provide PR advice to his department at a rate of €800 a day.

The Standards in Public Office Commission is also investigating both contracts in parallel with Mr Quigley’s inquiries, which are due to be completed before the end of this month.