Taoiseach's banking expert claims no lodgement was made

The planning tribunal has today seen a report by the Taoiseach's banking expert concerning a lodgement made by Bertie Ahern in 1994 which equates to $45,000 (€31,939).

The report by Paddy Strong claims that no bank evidence he has seen substantiates a dollar lodgement of that amount.

The Taoiseach told the tribunal several weeks ago that his personal banking expert would give conclusive proof to show that he never lodged $45,000 in the Bank of Ireland, despite bank evidence indicating the contrary

However, the report read out to the tribunal today by Mr. Strong, who’s a former Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, was merely a statement of opinion.

Earlier, the Taoiseach agreed that a document drawn up by his accountant Des Peelo, outlining different possible explanations for the controversial lodgement was irrelevant, seeing as he hadn't based his figures on the relevant exchange rates at the time.

The Taoiseach's cross examination by the tribunal on the subject of his personal finances has now finished.