Sir Anthony O'Reilly was "aggrieved and annoyed" that his consortium failed to win the second GSM phone license in 1996, the Moriarty tribunal heard today.
The tribunal this morning heard a statement from the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications at the time of the award, Mr Michael Lowry.
The statement, read by Mr John Coughlan, SC for the tribunal, said Fine Gael ministers were told in 1996 by the taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, that Sir Anthony was "seriously aggrieved and annoyed with a number of government decisions" including the GSM licence award.
In 1996 a Government adviser, Mr Sean Donlon, met representatives of Independent Newspapers to mediate in the matter, the tribunal heard. He reported back that it was "a most difficult meeting and that some very harsh comments were made about the government and individual ministers".
Mr Lowry was told by Mr Donlon that he - Mr Lowry - was " persona non gratawith the Independent group", the tribunal was told.
In his statement Mr Lowry said on the morning of the election in June 1997, the front page of the Irish Independentcarried a banner headline "Payback Time". This was accompanied with a front-page editorial urging the electorate not to vote for the government parties.
Mr Lowry's statement is at considerable odds with Sir Anthony's statement to the tribunal.
Sir Anthony has stated he did not meet Mr Lowry until September 15th, 1995; Mr Lowry maintains he met Sir Anthony in his executive box during the Irish Derby at the Curragh race course in July 1995.
Sir Anthony also denies conveying his annoyance to the Governement over the awarding to the second GSM licence.
This module of the tribunal is investigating whether the bidding process for the second GSM license was compromised.
Mr Coughlan will continue with the tribunal's opening statement this afternoon.