4 years trying to clear my name - Burke

Mr Ray Burke has said the reason he resigned as a minister and a Dβil deputy in 1997 was to devote himself entirely to clearing his name.

He has spent most of the four years since then trying to clear his name, he told the tribunal yesterday.

He also criticised a number of banks for failing to locate his accounts more quickly. This had given rise to media headlines about the discovery of "new" accounts, when the delay was not his fault.

Mr Burke concluded his evidence on his finances yesterday, but Ms Dillon said he may be recalled on other matters at a later date. Aside from one further witness, whose identity is unknown, and closing submissions, the tribunal is not expected to resume sittings until the new year.

Yesterday, Mr Burke said that before the Dβil passed the motion setting up the tribunal in October 1997, he realised there were "serious matters" to be dealt with. It would take all his time to co-operate fully with the tribunal.

"I wanted to clear my name fully, so it seemed appropriate to resign as a minister and from the Dβil in order to concentrate on the allegations against me," he said.

To prepare for the tribunal, Mr Burke said he went through personal and bank records, and he gave the tribunal consents and signed discovery orders. He provided 20 consents, including one covering 100 financial institutions.