Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte's third question was about the £50,000. What is in dispute is precisely who was the intended beneficiary. The Deputy asked me if I asked Mr. Gilmartin about this matter. Quite frankly, I have no recollection of the conversation with Mr. Gilmartin. Mr. Gilmartin said he rang me to ask me to assist him. I think he also said he rang me again to thank me, so he did get some assistance. I think that is the point he made. I cannot recall Mr. Gilmartin saying to me that he gave £50,000, or gave anything, to Fianna Fáil or to Pádraig Flynn. I would not ask anyone on a phone call if they gave the money to the party, and even when I was treasurer of the party, I would not have asked if they would give money to the party or to me. I am absolutely certain about that. I appreciate the way the Deputy asked the question but I am quite certain I would not have asked him did he give a contribution to Fianna Fáil or would he give money to Fianna Fáil — I just would not do that.

Apparently what Mr. Gilmartin said in his evidence is that he was giving out about Pádraig Flynn. If he brought up the issue with me I might have exchanged discussion with him about it. I could well have done that, but I would not have asked him if he would give money to Fianna Fáil, to Pádraig Flynn or to me. I would not have done that. If he brought it up in conversation, I could well have engaged in conversation with him, but I have no recollection of that.

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