The former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has again absolutely rejected any suggested that he ever received money from property developer Owen O’Callaghan.
"I absolutely never received a penny, or a cent in today's money," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern returned to the witness box at the Mahon tribunal today and is being questioned about his involvement in matters concerning the development of the Quarryvale, now Liffey Valley centre in Dublin.
Whereas his earlier evidence was focused on his personal finances, the evidence he began today is focused on any dealings he had as a politician with the Quarryvale project.
The tribunal heard that developer Tom Gilmartin has said he was told by Mr O'Callaghan of payments he, Mr O'Callaghan made to Mr Ahern. He said he was told Mr Ahern was paid £30,000 for blocking tax designation for a rival shopping centre development in Blanchardstown, and £50,000 for his involvement in assisting the developers buy Corporation land that was key to the Quarryvale development.
The tribunal also heard of a claim that Mr Ahern was paid a "cut" of a £150,000 payment allegedly made by Mr O'Callaghan to former taoiseach Albert Reynolds.
Mr Ahern agreed the first contact he had with Mr Gilmartin was when he was contacted by him by phone and told he was having difficulty acquiring Dublin Corporation lands that were key to the issue. Mr Ahern said he cannot recall the conversation but accepted it must have occurred.
Des O'Neill SC, for the tribunal, said Mr Gilmartin was of the view that the former assistant city and county manager, George Redmond, and the Fianna Fáil politician, the late Liam Lawlor, were putting obstacles in his way, because he had refused demands for money.
Mr Ahern said he believed his friend, the then Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Burke, was put in contact with Mr Gilmartin to see if he could assist, but he could not recall the conversation. He said that as a politician he would have many people contacting him with their difficulties. However if Mr Burke went to meet Mr Gilmartin "it must have been because I asked him."
Mr O'Neill said Mr Ahern would most likely recall a conversation in which he was told that a colleague and the assistant Dublin City and County manager were "on the take". Mr Ahern agreed.
"I do not remember the conversation with Mr Gilmartin… but I accept that I must have spoken with him… he must have told me he was worried about this tender going through."
Around same time Mr Gilmartin had complained to others, including the Garda, of the alleged obstruction by Mr Lawlor and Mr Redmond, Mr O'Neill said. Mr Ahern rejected the view that it was implausible that the same complaint would not have been made to him by Mr Gilmartin.
Mr Ahern said Mr Gilmartin got the land because he made the highest tender. There was no evidence on the record of any interference.
