Michael Lowry has said that he did not tell the Moriarty Tribunal about a £147,000 loan he got because, in his mind, it was not relevant. The Tribunal is investigating the loan because the money was connected to millionaire businessman Denis O'Brien.
Returning to the witness stand after two years, Mr Lowry, a former government minister, said that he knew nothing at any stage about a $50,000 donation to Fine Gael from the Norwegian company, Telenor. The donation was made at a time when he was Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and in charge of overseeing party fundraising.
Mr Lowry described to the Tribunal his relationship with the former Fine Gael fundraiser, David Austin. He said that Mr Austin was a close personal friend he had known for 17 years. Mr Lowry said that they met regularly for dinner or drinks and the two used to go racing at Cheltenham together.
In a written memorandum, he said that the £147,000 was a loan and not a payment or a gift. Mr Lowry said that he opened up what has been described as a secret offshore account to receive the money because Mr Austin wanted it that way.
He said that the awarding of the State's second mobile phone licence had been impartial and fair. It was carried out by professional consultants and at no stage did he influence the outcome of their deliberations. He also said that Mr O'Brien had never requested political favours of him.
