Lowry: Moriarty report 'deliberately misleading'

Independent TD Michael Lowry has totally rejected the tenor of the Moriarty report released today, saying the report is "factually wrong and deliberately misleading".

Mr Lowry said: "Moriarty has outrageously abused the Tribunal’s ability to form opinions which are not substantiated by evidence or fact."

The Moriarty Tribunal, which has been examining possible links between businessman Denis O'Brien and former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry, published its report today.

Mr Lowry was Communications Minister when the State's second mobile phone licence was issued to Mr O'Brien's Esat Digifone consortium in 1996.

The report finds that it is "beyond doubt" that Michael Lowry imparted substantive information to Mr O'Brien, which was of significant value and assistance to him in securing the licence.

Mr Lowry has reacted to the report, saying: "For example, in relation to the license it was not possible for me to interfere with the license process without the collusion of up to eighteen civil servants. It is preposterous of Moriarty to form an opinion in his report that all of the civil servants and the consultant Michael Andersson had effectively lied under oath.

"During the prolonged hearings into the license not one single witness gave evidence that I in any way interfered with the process or made any suggestion as to who should win the license. Furthermore not one single witness gave evidence that I in any way undermined the application of any losing bidder."

Mr Lowry went on to day that it is "ludicrous" of Moriarty to say that the Government of the day were misled or in any doubt as to the recommendation made by the Independent project team.

He said: "It should be remembered that the project team was comprised of senior civil servants from both the Department of Communications and the Department of Finance.

"From the outset Moriarty was biased and has given fourteen years working to prove a theory that the license was improperly granted.

"It beggars belief how he could ignore the extensive evidence given to the Tribunal which clearly confirms that I did not in any way influence the decision of the Independent project team.

"Moriarty’s credibility was shattered because of his selective approach to evidence during the private and public enquiry.

"I have long believed that because of the time and massive expense involved with the Tribunal that the final report would have to justify its existence.

"This report is ultimately the opinion of the Chairman and it has no basis in law. It is my intention to study the report in detail and in due course, to challenge its veracity."