Former EU Commissioner Mr Padraig Flynn told the Mahon tribunal today he saw nothing wrong with his acceptance of £50,000 from developer Mr Tom Gilmartin and would do the same again if the circumstances arose.
Mr Flynn also said that he was not concerned about the fact that the cheque he got from Mr Gilmartin in 1989 was made out to cash.
He said Mr Gilmartin came to see him in Leinster House in May that year and gave him the cheque.
Mr Gilmartin has told the tribunal the meeting took place in June at the then Minister for Environment's office in the Custom House.
According to Mr Flynn, there was some "brief comment" about the impending election before Mr Gilmartin said he intended to make a contribution.
"Mr Gilmartin came to see me and he had a cheque with him and he gave it to me. I looked at it and at first I thought it was £5,000. I told him there was no need for that."
"Then I looked again and I saw it was for £50,000. I explained to him there was absolutely no need for that."
Mr Flynn said he specifically asked Mr Gilmartin whether the cheque was intended for Fianna Fail, but the developer replied that it was for him, for his political campaign.
He told Mr Gilmartin he had done nothing for him and could do nothing for him. There could be no strings attached to any political contribution he made. "He thanked me and that was it."
"He thanked you? You didn't thank him?" asked Ms Dillon, to laughter from the public gallery.
Mr Flynn said he presumed he did thank Mr Gilmartin.