Public trust must be Dáil priority

The web of lies, deceit and abuse of power which is unraveling at the Planning Tribunal reveals deep-seated corruption by politicians who were prepared to subvert the laws of this country for personal gain.

Malleable politicians aided and abetted the contemptible activities of lobbyist Frank Dunlop in promoting the commercial and financial interests of his paymasters.

Yesterday he claimed that he inherited a list in the late 1980s which identified one-third of the 76 members of Dublin County Council as amenable to improper payments.