Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am not sure what the Deputy is asking me. If Mr. Gilmartin had mentioned to me in 1989 that he had given a donation to Pádraig Flynn or to Fianna Fáil, I would have assumed he was giving it to Fianna Fáil through Pádraig Flynn in his capacity as treasurer. If a donation of £50,000 was given to a Minister which was not going to a political party. I can only visualise that if it was going to the political party it would be given to a treasurer. I do not think any individual would expect that it would be given without strings attached. There is no doubt that to get £50,000 in 1989, made out to cash, which did not find its way to the party of the treasurer, is extraordinary. There is no hiding that fact. That was a huge contribution which did not go to the party. Obviously the question arises as to what it was for, what it was about, but that is a matter for the tribunal to resolve.

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