The former chief fundraiser for Fianna Fáil, Des Richardson, has described the use of a bogus invoice for a payment by NCB as a "type of pick-me-up".
He explained to the tribunal earlier this month that a pick-me-up (PMU) was a practice used by political parties whereby a donor would "pick up" a debt owed by the party.
He said such a practice had existed for 35 years and was used by a number of parties. He said PMUs were often used by companies who wanted donations to remain confidential.
He said PMUs originated with an advertising executive who was owed money by Fianna Fáil but couldn't get paid.
He approached a party supporter and got them to pay the debt.
He said that in 1998 he was asked by a Dublin accountant to meet him in the Berkeley Court Hotel. Mr Richardson said he was informed that companies were claiming PMUs against VAT and corporation tax.
Mr Richardson said he arranged to meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the next day and told him "there was a danger with these PMUs because people might be abusing them."
Mr Richardson said Mr Ahern told him to go see the party financial controller. "Get him to issue a directive to stop PMUs immediately, and go and see the Revenue Commissioners and put an end to this," he said he was told.
Tribunal chairman Judge Alan Mahon said the NCB payment would be a PMU if it involved a payment to a party.
Mr Richardson responded: "It's not a million miles away."
