Mahon Tribunal: The former minister for justice, Mr Gerard Collins, said he was "quite certain" he never met Mr Tom Gilmartin, the property developer who alleges he was subjected to a £5 million extortion demand outside a meeting in Leinster House with government ministers.
Mr Collins said, not only had he never met Mr Gilmartin but, he found it "hard to accept" that the meeting took place in February 1989 as described by the businessman.
The politician, who lost his European Parliament seat at the recent elections, said to the best of his knowledge there were never any formal or informal meetings held on the fourth floor of the block of Leinster House that had been referred to in Mr Gilmartin's evidence.
If meetings were to take place, they would be held in another office but not in the main block of Leinster House.
"I find it hard to accept the meeting ever took place there."
In his evidence, Mr Gilmartin claimed that he was handed a request for £5 million after the meeting, which he said had been attended by several government ministers, including the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Mr Gilmartin had also referred to a "stoutish man, balding" who looked "remarkably like" Mr Collins at the meeting, although Mr Gilmartin said he could not swear it was him.
Mr Collins said he had no recollection of ever meeting Mr Gilmartin. In his written statement, he added, he did not receive any payments, donations, contributions or benefits directly or indirectly from Mr Gilmartin, Mr Owen O'Callaghan, Mr Frank Dunlop or seven named companies including Arlington Securities.
Mr Collins confirmed that as minister for justice he had been informed in 1989 about allegations of irregularity in the planning process.
However, it was only in recent times that he learnt of Mr Gilmartin's specific allegations against the former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Liam Lawlor.
He said his job had been to ensure the then taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, knew "the state of play" and was properly briefed.
His only concern was to ensure there would be a very thorough investigation by the Garda.
"The Minister for Justice never interfered in investigations. It's not his role."
Counsel for the tribunal, Mr Patrick Quinn SC, drew Mr Collins' attention to a statement that had been made by Mr Gilmartin to gardaí referring to "one or two others in positions of power" telling the developer to keep quiet.
Mr Collins asked what exactly counsel was suggesting. "I had no discussions with anybody other than the taoiseach," he said.
Asked whether he knew Mr Gilmartin was being encouraged to "keep his mouth shut", Mr Collins replied: "No, I was not aware of that." He said he was also unaware of any alleged demands for money.
Judge Mary Faherty asked if the former minister, as a high-ranking member of Fianna Fáil, would have brought information about the corruption investigation to the party.
"Certainly not," Mr Collins replied. "My role as minister for justice was totally separate to my role in the Fianna Fáil party."
