Report into Leech contracts expected to exonerate Cullen

The government-commissioned report into the awarding of PR contracts to a close friend of Transport Minister Martin Cullen is due to be published later today.

The report, drawn up by former Revenue chairman Dermot Quigley, is widely expected to exonerate Mr Cullen of any wrongdoing in relation to the matter.

Mr Quigley was asked to investigate the circumstances surrounding the awarding of PR contracts worth €300,000 to Monica Leech, who was hired to advise the Department of the Environment a number of years ago.

Ms Leech is a close personal friend and political associate of Mr Cullen, who was minister in the department at the time she secured the lucrative deals.