What did John Bruton say in evidence?

Mr. John Bruton served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 1994 to 1997.  He previously served as Minister under two Taoisigh, Liam Cosgrave and Garret FitzGerald and held a number of the top posts in the Irish Government, including Minister for Finance (1981–1982 and 1986–1987), and Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism (1983–1986).

 

Mr. Bruton became leader of Fine Gael in 1990 and served as Taoiseach from 1994 until 1997, leading the Rainbow Coalition government of Fine Gael, Labour Party and Democratic Left.   Mr. Bruton was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for Meath in 1969 and served continuously until his retirement from Irish domestic politics in 2004. He is currently European Union Ambassador to the United States and is a former Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP).

 

In his evidence to the Tribunal on Day 279 (23 March 2004), Mr John Bruton stated that he had no reason to doubt the integrity of the civil servants involved in the evaluation process:

 

“Q.    And both then and looking back from where you sit now, you have no reason to question your judgement as to the independence or integrity of the civil service generally and in particular, the civil servants involved in this

 

A. Absolutely not.  On the contrary.”

 

Mr. Bruton further gave evidence that he had no reason to doubt or question the role played by Mr Michael Lowry in the evaluation process or in relation to the second mobile phone process generally:

 

“Q.    Mr. Bruton, Mr. Lowry will say in evidence that he had absolutely no influence over the work of the Project Group.  He will say that he was given very limited information as to its progress, and when informed of the final result, he really just brought that result to Government straight away.  Do you have any reason to doubt his position on that?

 

A.      None, no.

 

Q. Has anything subsequently arisen then, Mr. Bruton, which would cause you in any way to question the role played by the Minister, who you selected for that office, in connection with the award of the GSM licence?

 

A. No.

 

Q. And I think you have already answered my colleague Mr. McDonnell that nothing has subsequently arisen to your knowledge, Mr. Bruton, concerning Mr. Lowry or any other aspect of the integrity of the process which would cause you to question it?

 

A.            I have no reason at all to question the process.”