Desmond ruling - Tribunal needs to be thorough

Mr Justice John Quirke’s High Court ruling that the Moriarty Tribunal had not breached principles of natural justice or fair procedures in raising aspects of the 1993 Glackin Report is welcome.

The High Court judgment concluded that the tribunal is entitled to follow every line of inquiry that falls within its terms of reference until it discovers facts that established that the concern about any relevant matter is groundless.

The Glackin Report contained findings that were critical of Dermot Desmond and his apparent association with a couple of companies connected with the purchase of the Johnstone, Mooney and O’Brien site in Ballsbridge. This was later sold to Telecom Éireann at a handsome profit for a new headquarters.

Part of the political rationale behind the establishment of the Moriarty Tribunal was to ensure that there is not a golden circle of business people who have been able to exert undue influence on ministers, or receive undue favours as a result of payments to politicians.

Mr Desmond has already confirmed that he paid for the renovation of Charles Haughey’s yacht. This amounted to an interest-free loan of over £70,000, which is only to be repaid when the boat is sold. That was his right, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing, but his business transactions and dealings are therefore relevant to the work of the Moriarty Tribunal.

The State is paying a fortune to fund this tribunal, and its investigations must be seen as thorough, following any line of inquiry that seems relevant until the facts demonstrate otherwise.