The civil servant who headed the 1995 second mobile phone licence competition assessment team, has said a protocol he drafted was intended for members of the team only.
Martin Brennan was asked by Rossa Fanning, for the former minister for transport, energy and communications, Michael Lowry, if the protocol applied to the minister.
The protocol set out the conditions governing contacts between members of the assessment team and members of consortiums bidding for the licence. Mr Lowry was not a member of the assessment team.
Mr Brennan said he drafted the protocol and it was for the team and agreed by the team.
Asked about a fax which indicated that Mr Lowry may have suggested to Denis O'Brien that France Telecom might be available to join his, Mr O'Brien's, consortium, Mr Brennan said he didn't think much turned on the issue. "It was before the closing date for the applications," Mr Brennan said. He said he knew nothing about the matter.
The tribunal resumes today when civil servant Fintan Towey is expected to give evidence.
