Tánaiste to face Mahon Tribunal

Tánaiste Mary Harney will appear before the Mahon Tribunal into planning corruption for the first time today.

The tribunal is investigating a controversial vote by Dublin County Council in 1992 to rezone a farm at Ballycullen belonging to Dublin businessman Christopher Jones.

Ms Harney will give evidence about how she was lobbied to rezone the land for housing by Derry Hussey, the financial controller of the Jones Group.

The tribunal has heard how Mr Jones and his companies made payments totalling Ir£45,750 to 20 politicians between 1991 and 1993.

He has denied that the payments were made in return for support for the rezoning of his land in south Dublin.

The Mahon Tribunal is also due to hear evidence from lobbyist Frank Dunlop and from two councillors, Sean Gilbride and Tony Fox, who Mr Dunlop claimed he gave money to in return for their support for rezoning.