Aer Rianta chairman, Mr Noel Hanlon, has this evening said an internal inquiry into claims of unpaid gifts to a Government department in the early 90s has so far found no evidence which would substantiate the allegations.
Mr Hanlon said: "The inquiry team has not seen any evidence which would substantiate the allegations contained in The Sunday Independentof November 24th, 2002."
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, is at the centre of an allegation that around €5,000-worth of cigars and brandy was obtained from Aer Rianta and used as corporate or personal gifts in the early 90s.
The Sunday Independentreported the story last weekend but was unclear whether the minister or officials at his former departments were implicated.
Mr Hanlon, today stated that the inquiry into allegations contained in an article is almost complete.
He said the inquiry, which is being conducted by the Company Secretary and the Head of Internal Audit, has involved the interviewing of relevant personnel and the examination of substantial documentation.
The inquiry is expected to be completed early next week when a report from the Auditors to Aer Rianta will be provided to the Chairman. It is not expected that there will be any change in this position, he added.